Justices vote 6-3 to keep Maine vaccine mandate in effect

carleyshaffer1October 31, 2021

The US Supreme Court is seen in Washington, DC, on May 4, 2020, during the first day of oral arguments held by telephone, a first in the Court’s history, as a result of COVID-19, known as coronavirus. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:07 PM PT – Sunday, October 31, 2021

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Maine’s vaccine mandates, upholding the dire consequences of such an order.

In a six-to-three ruling on Friday, Justices rejected an emergency request from Maine healthcare workers to halt the mandate from going into effect. Two Trump appointed Justices, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett, sided with the three Democrat appointed Justices on the bench.

However, Justice Neil Gorsuch issued a dissenting opinion, pointing to the fact the Pine Tree State isn’t allowing First Amendment protected religious exemptions.

Notably, Justice Gorsuch (joined by Alito and Thomas) expresses serious skepticism that Maine has a compelling interest in mandating COVID vaccinations among health care workers, noting the availability of vaccines and treatments. https://t.co/B2bx5jZMFA pic.twitter.com/86cwsPUag0

— Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) October 29, 2021

“This case presents an important constitutional question, a serious error, and an irreparable injury,” wrote Gorsuch. “Where many other states have adopted religious exemptions, Maine has charted a different course. There, health care workers who have served on the front line of a pandemic for the last 18 months are now being fired and their practices shuttered. All for adhering to their constitutionally protected religious beliefs.”

Meanwhile, health care and nursing home workers across the state are at risk of losing their jobs for balking at attempts to force the jab.