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Dec. 08, 2024 06:16PM EST
Jul. 28, 2021 12:45AM EST
Biden likely to exempt military from federal vaccine mandate
Biden administration officials are debating how to expand vaccine mandates for some federal civilian health care workers as they prepare to put more testing pressure — and requirements — on the rest of the federal workforce.
Why it matters: With the Delta variant surging across the country, officials are exploring ways to persuade or pressure Americans hesitant or downright opposed to getting a coronavirus vaccine.
- The CDC announced Tuesday it was reinstating its recommendation for vaccinated people to wear masks in areas where the virus is substantially present, as well as all who'll be returning to K-12 schools.
- Like they did Monday with their Veterans Affairs mandate, Biden administration officials are weighing the pros and cons of imposing strict vaccine mandates on select groups. No final decisions have been made.
- For these vaccine mandates, which go beyond simple testing regimens, officials are currently focused on federal health care workers throughout the government, including those in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Indian Health Service.
- The potential mandates would be phased in over time and require significant legal review.
Driving the news: President Biden told reporters on Tuesday a vaccine mandate for federal workers was “under consideration right now,” and on Thursday he'll speak directly to the challenge the Delta variant poses to Americans.
- On Tuesday evening, CNN reported Biden will announce a requirement for all federal employees and contractors to either be vaccinated or submit to regular testing and mitigation efforts, citing a source with direct knowledge of the matter.
Between the lines: Administration officials do not consider onerous testing requirements to qualify as a vaccine mandate.
- Instead, they see testing requirements as a means to convince workers to get vaccinated.
- "While no decision has been finalized, attestation of vaccination ... or abiding by stringent COVID-19 protocols like mandatory mask-wearing ... and regular testing for federal employees is one option under strong consideration," said a source familiar with the considerations.
The intrigue: The internal conversation around a strict mandate for military personnel was more fraught.
- The dominant internal view is that it's better to wait for an official request from the Pentagon — which is unlikely to come until the vaccines transition from emergency-use authorization to permanent approval by the Food and Drug Administration.
Behind the scenes: Inside the administration, officials have been debating which categories of federal workers would be appropriate for vaccine mandates.
- Health care workers at the VA were an obvious place to start, since hospitals around the country are already mandating vaccines for their staffs.
The big picture: Biden and his top aides have so far shied away from aggressively pressuring private businesses to mandate COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment.
- They'd welcome private companies mandating vaccines but prefer that companies come to that decision themselves, according to two sources familiar with the internal conversations.
- Biden’s advisers are eager to avoid looking too heavy-handed with private companies.
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Jun. 16, 2021 12:50AM EST
Treasury appointment makes it 4 Ricchettis in the Biden administration
Nestled in a recent press release from the Treasury Department announcing new staff appointments was a familiar name within the White House, the son of President Biden's counselor and longtime aide, Steve Ricchetti.
Why it matters: J.J. Ricchetti will serve as a special assistant in Treasury's Office of Legislative Affairs. He's now the fourth immediate family member working in the Biden administration.
- Steve Ricchetti, a former lobbyist, has an office in the White House and regularly accompanies the president to Camp David and other destinations.
- Daniel Ricchetti, his son, serves as senior adviser in the office of the undersecretary for arms control and international security at the State Department.
- Shannon Ricchetti, his daughter, is deputy associate director of the Office of the Social Secretary at the White House.
- The White House declined any on-the-record comment.
What they're saying: White House aides cite their backgrounds to argue they're qualified for the roles and have experience equal to their predecessors, in contrast to complaints about the Trump administration.
- Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump were senior aides with large portfolios they came to with little direct experience.
- Kushner, for example, handled the president’s Middle East policy as well as an array of other shifting and far-reaching responsibilities.
Between the lines: Daniel Ricchetti spent seven years working for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee before moving to the State Department.
- Shannon Ricchetti came to her position with years of research and event planning experience, including at the Aspen Institute.
- And J.J. Ricchetti is a recent college graduate, as was an Obama administration holder of the same job in Treasury's Office of Legislative Affairs.
The big picture: Biden vowed to “restore and maintain public trust in government” by signing an executive order on ethics during his first day in office.
- It broadly received praise from White House ethics experts.
Flashback: On the campaign trail, Biden promised that no one in his family would hold a job in the White House or participate in a business relationship with a foreign government.
- None of his direct family members serve in his administration.
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Dec. 10, 2024 10:12AM EST



