A federal judge on Friday agreed to temporarily block the Biden Administration鈥檚 vaccine and mask mandates for the federally-funded preschool program in Texas known as Head Start.
Last month, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton joined Lubbock ISD in suing to stop Head Start from requiring staff and volunteers in the early childhood program to be fully vaccinated by Jan. 31. Weekly COVID-19 testing would be required for people granted an exemption.
Those two and older would also be required to wear masks, with some exceptions.
In court documents, LISD argued that if the mandates remained, they could see a drop in Head Start enrollment.
U.S. District Judge James 鈥淲esley鈥� Hendrix said his ruling only applies to Texas. Paxton and LISD had initially asked for a nationwide injunction. He also said, 鈥渋t is undisputed that an agency cannot act without Congressional authorization.鈥�
Paxton said Friday鈥檚 ruling means the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is not currently authorized to require near universal masking of children and staff.
鈥淎nd they did not have the authority to force workers, staff members to get the vaccine,鈥� Paxton. 鈥淭hat's up to the individual to make the decision about their health.鈥�
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also praised the ruling, saying 鈥渁nother of Biden鈥檚 vaccine and mask mandates was just halted by a federal judge in Texas.鈥�
BREAKING: Texas just beat Biden again.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX)
Another of Biden鈥檚 vaccine & mask mandates was just halted by a federal judge in Texas.
The Court writes: 鈥淚t is undisputed that an agency cannot act without Congressional authorization.鈥�
That would apply to all of Biden鈥檚 orders.
Texas has also sued to stop federal vaccine requirements for federal contractors, health care workers, and large companies.
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Louisiana has blocked the vaccine and mask requirement for Head Start programs in 24 other states.
The Texas Newsroom鈥檚 Becky Fogel and Texas Tech Public Media鈥檚 Sarah Self-Walbrick contributed to this report.