Alabama Governor Signs Order to Fight Federal Vaccine Mandate

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signs a bill into law to ban vaccine passports on May 24, 2021. Courtesy of Gov. Kay Ivey's Office

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed an executive order Monday to demand state agencies do not comply with federal coronavirus vaccine mandates.

Executive Order 724 declares the “nonenforcement of federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates” effective immediately across the state.

“Effective immediately, no agency, department, board, commission, or other entity within the executive branch of state government shall, under color of state law, seek to impose a penalty on any business or individual for noncompliance,” the order said.

Ivey’s written statement released with Monday’s order declared the vaccine mandates “outrageous overreach.”

“The federal government’s outrageous overreach has simply given us no other option, but to begin taking action, which is why I am issuing this executive order to fight these egregious COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Alabamians—and Americans alike—should and must have the choice to roll up their sleeves to get this shot and certainly not forced by government,” Ivey wrote.

“While President Biden laughs at the idea of protecting your freedoms, I will continue fighting for Alabama businesses and their employees,” the governor added.

Ivey also said the Biden White House “has once again failed” Americans.

“If the federal government presses on with these new federal mandates, then the Biden White House has once again failed the American people. As I have stated, no doubt, this will be challenged in federal courts,” the governor wrote.

Ivey specifically declared that as governor, she will not force anyone to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.

“I am adamantly opposed to federal mandates related to the COVID-19 vaccine and adamantly opposed to state mandates related to the COVID-19 vaccine, plain and simple. As long as I am your governor, the state of Alabama will not force anyone to take a COVID-19 vaccine,” she wrote.

“Through today’s order, the state of Alabama is making our position on this issue crystal clear. A state law in response to President Biden is not enough. The courts are where this will be resolved. Today is one step in this fight, but certainly not the last,” Ivey added.

The governor concluded her statement by noting the people of her state are “overwhelmingly opposed” to coronavirus vaccine mandates.

“Alabamians are overwhelmingly opposed to these outrageous, Biden mandates, and I stand firmly with them,” Ivey wrote.

The governor’s executive order adds to similar actions by other states. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) also recently issued an executive order to oppose any “entity” in the Lone Star State from enforcing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate or requiring proof of vaccination.

Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has also recently spoken out on the coronavirus vaccine mandates. He has called a special session of the state’s lawmakers to consider a law to ban mandates that he considers a risk to workers and businesses.