NEW YORK – On March 24, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) issued the following statement regarding New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ decision to roll back the city’s vaccine mandate for professional athletes, but not for law enforcement or city employees:

“From the very beginning of this pandemic, what has bothered New Yorkers the most is how arbitrary mandates and restrictions have been implemented with double standards in the name of ‘following science.’ I agree with Mayor Adams’ decision to lift the vaccine mandate for our athletes and performers, however, the same standard should be applied to our cops, firefighters, teachers, sanitation workers, and other private-sector employees. Mayor Adams should immediately rehire the city workers who were fired and lift the vaccine mandate on all public and private-sector employers that has led to people losing their livelihoods at a time when we have a labor shortage.”

Congresswoman Malliotakis was among the Members of Congress who filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in the case that considered the Biden Administration’s top-down OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard that required private employers with over 100 employees to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine or weekly testing. On January 13, 2022, SCOTUS blocked the mandate, requiring OSHA to reverse its policy.