U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, stood with other federal lawmakers on Wednesday to oppose President Biden’s vaccine mandate.

Keller echoed the comments of many of the congressmen and women gathered outside the U.S. Capitol Wednesday to condemn requiring vaccines in the workplace.

He called it an “illegal mandate” and an “overreach.”

A vaccine mandate has not been approved, but Keller said the fight against it becoming law must continue.

“You are either for this authoritarian rule or against it,” he said. “We cannot slow down now. We must continue to work to eliminate this rule once and for all.

Keller has introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to formally disapprove of and nullify Biden’s vaccine mandate.

It comes at a time of the spread of the more contagious delta variant and rising COVID-19 infection rates in many areas of the U.S.

He yielded the microphone to other lawmakers who followed up with their own criticisms of a vaccine mandate.

Buddy Carter, R-Georgia, said he believes in vaccines.

“However, I disagree adamantly with mandating vaccines,” he said.

Getting a vaccine should be a decision left up to individuals and their physicians. He called the mandate unconstitutional and un-American.

“This vaccine will end up destroying what is left of our economy,” said U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Illinois. “Natural immunity doesn’t have a lobbyist here in Washington.”

Jay Obernolte, R-California, said the economy will only worsen if a vaccine mandate is forced upon employers.

“I am very strongly opposed to mandating anyone to get the vaccine,” he said.

Andrew Clyde, R-Georgia, said the vaccine mandate is an example of the Democratic Party being “drunk on power.”

He said there should be a push to incentivize people to get back to work.

“I say no to the vaccine mandate, not on my watch, not now or ever,” he said.

Keller also stated, “The broad support that our Congressional Review Act resolution has garnered sends a clear message to President Biden: The American people are fed up with the mandates and government control. Our nation faces a host of crises created by this administration, including supply chain challenges and skyrocketing costs for everyday goods and services.

“President Biden’s illegal vaccine mandate is crippling for Main Street job creators and workers,” he said. “We will continue to do everything we can to oppose this authoritarian rule.”