Oct. 13 Evening Newscast

Published October 13, 2021 at 6:18 PM CDT

Texas lawmakers are considering legislation to ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates by businesses at the urging of Governor Greg Abbott.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already issued an executive order barring vaccine mandates by companies in the state. Now he's looking for backing from the GOP-led legislature. The bill would let employees opt out of vaccine requirements by their employers for medical reasons or on grounds of personal conscience. Opponents of the bill, including some business groups, fear it would unleash a torrent of lawsuits against private employers.
Some employees of the Greenville defense contractor L3 Harris intend to maintain a weekly protest against L3's vaccine mandates. A protest was held Oct. 8 and the Herald-Banner reports some L3 staff intend to maintain a protest presence every Friday morning. Federal policy requires that contractors implement vaccine mandates.