October Term 2021 · Docket 21A244
Does OSHA have the power to force 84 million workers to get vaccinated?
Business owners argue the vaccine rule exceeds OSHA's emergency authority. The government argues the rule is essential to stop workplace deaths.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Scott Keller argued the rule covers too many people for OSHA's narrow authority.
Elizabeth Prelogar argued the rule addresses a specific and deadly workplace danger.
Justice Roberts questioned why OSHA could not use its best approach to solve the problem.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-52 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 10-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 50-20 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 50-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 46-46 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 46-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 40-1 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 40-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 54-16 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 54-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 12-18 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 12-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 42-1 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 42-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 18-24 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 18-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 30-50 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 30-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 6-36 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 6-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 46-20 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 46-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 30-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 30-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 26-50 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 26-50
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The National Federation of Independent Business challenges a federal vaccine mandate. The Department of Labor defends the rule as a vital safety measure.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 7, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 50-20 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 50-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 16-20
What each side wants
The business group wants the Court to strike down the vaccine mandate.
The government wants the Court to keep the vaccine mandate in effect.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
What each side says
The business group argues the rule is too broad for OSHA's limited emergency powers.
The government argues the rule is necessary to stop a deadly workplace risk.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked if emergency status makes the necessity standard stricter.
Justice Kagan asked why the rule is not necessary to stop a grave risk.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-52 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 10-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 50-20 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 50-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 46-46 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 46-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 40-1 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 40-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 54-16 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 54-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 12-18 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 12-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 42-1 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 42-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 18-24 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 18-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 30-50 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 30-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 6-36 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 6-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 46-20 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 46-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 30-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 30-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 26-50 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 26-50
Why it matters
This case defines the limits of federal workplace safety power. It determines whether agencies can impose broad mandates during health crises. The outcome shapes future government responses to public health emergencies.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 40-46 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 40-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 10-52 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 10-52
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 52-6
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 130, lines 50-20 — Transcript, file page 130, lines 50-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 46-46 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 46-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 50-14 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 50-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 40-1 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 40-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 30-32 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 30-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 136, lines 54-16 — Transcript, file page 136, lines 54-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 12-18 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 12-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 38-46 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 38-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 52-26 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 52-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 38-40 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 38-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 42-1 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 42-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 18-24 — Transcript, file page 16, lines 18-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 10-30 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 10-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 18-32 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 18-32
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 36-44 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 36-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 30-50 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 30-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 6-36 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 6-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 12-14 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 12-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 16-20 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 16-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 22-30 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 22-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 46-20 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 46-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 30-1 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 30-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 28-30 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 28-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 52-12 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 52-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 30-44 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 30-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 48-8 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 48-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 26-50 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 26-50
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 132, lines 22-44 — Transcript, file page 132, lines 22-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 138, lines 20-36 — Transcript, file page 138, lines 20-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 43, lines 10-10 — Transcript, file page 43, lines 10-10
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 32-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 32-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 66, lines 34-34 — Transcript, file page 66, lines 34-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 44-50 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 44-50
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.