In the continued effort to dismiss the severity of the virus that's killed over 700 thousand Americans and to politicize lifesaving vaccines which have proven to be safe and effective at dramatically reducing transmission, Republicans across the country are railing against private businesses and government sectors for requiring vaccinations.
Though vaccine mandates for other viruses are commonplace and were supported by the likes of George Washington himself, Republican elected officials have near-universally opposed companies requiring their workers to be vaccinated.
Most recently, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order this week banning all COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Another Republican elected official from Texas—Senator Ted Cruz—slammed the Biden administration for ordering the Labor Department to require vaccinations for businesses with more than 100 employees.
Cruz claimed the mandates were burdensome to the work force, writing:
"The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated. American businesses are still recovering from this past year and a half. It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate."
White House press secretary Jen Psaki was asked about similar claims that vaccine mandates jeopardize worker supply, and she took a shot at Cruz in her response.
Watch below.
Wow. Jen Psaki just owned Ted Cruz. https://t.co/LthWxCxwpv— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1634063540.0
Psaki said:
"I know world renowned business, travel, and health expert Senator Ted Cruz has made that point, but I wouldn't say that that is widely acknowledged or echoed by business leaders who have implemented these mandates, by health experts who've conveyed the way to get out of the pandemic is to ensure that we're doing exactly the steps the President has announced and we're working to implement. ... Ultimately, the job of the President of the United States is to lead."
Social media users supported her subtle jab at Cruz.
Doesn’t take much to dunk on Ted Cruz, but it’s great every time. https://t.co/yoy9v6xYEs— Padma Lakshmi (@Padma Lakshmi) 1634079166.0
Jen P dropped an "appeal to misplaced authority" critique with a side of sass. https://t.co/BTpvvtoS8r— Jennifer Mercieca (@Jennifer Mercieca) 1634063815.0
There’s ALWAYS time for a bit of Ted trolling… 😏https://t.co/baK4d17Wdy— Koosemar (@Koosemar) 1634063847.0
“…World renowned business travel and health expert, Senator Ted Cruz…” — Jen Psaki 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/MdOqQI9mGF— Darren ™ (@Darren ™) 1634080501.0
Jen Psaki knows how to deal with narcissists. 🔥 https://t.co/zsR6slhaNy— Narcopath Info (@Narcopath Info) 1634078357.0
Chile, Jen Psaki is SHADY PALMS!!!! https://t.co/zzJYIQX2sD— Here ForTheComments1 (@Here ForTheComments1) 1634079915.0
Others joined her in dunking on Cruz.
The only thing that @tedcruz might be good at is travel advice. Beyond that, maybe he should quit embarrassing Tex… https://t.co/rFyGAL8NSs— John Cotter (@John Cotter) 1634081969.0
Successful business leaders aren’t stupid! Scientists with a worldwide good reputation,aren’t stupid! Looking at… https://t.co/t4aODVp2zL— VeryBadGerman🍺 Stable since genius is gone (@VeryBadGerman🍺 Stable since genius is gone) 1634118710.0
Ted Cruz is world renowned for something but not for his expertise in anything. https://t.co/DY7hs63Aol— Stephen Groves (@Stephen Groves) 1634063776.0
Ouch.