By Rajesh Kumar Singh and Sanjana Shivdas

CHICAGO (Reuters). Despite being rebuffed by the Texas governor American Airlines and Southwest Airlines (NYSE) stated on Tuesday that they will follow President Joe Biden’s directive to have all of their employees vaccinated against COVID-19 before Dec. 8.

Two Texas-based carriers stated that the federal mandate overtook an order of Republican Governor Greg Abbott prohibiting COVID-19 vaccination mandates by any entity. This includes private employers.

Southwest claimed it was “expected to comply with President’s Order in order to continue to be compliant as federal contractor.” American stated that it is reviewing Abbott’s executive orders and “this doesn’t change anything”.

Both airlines have requested that U.S.-based workers submit evidence of vaccination no later than Nov. 24, 2008.

Biden gave his mandate to his government last month, as his administration tried to contain the pandemic which has already claimed over 700,000 Americans. This mandate applies to all federal contractors.

Although vaccine mandates have been deemed necessary for the nation to recover from the pandemic that has lasted nearly two years, their opponents see them as unconstitutional or authoritarian.

Abbott claimed that the Biden government was “bullying” many private entities to imposition COVID-19 vaccine mandates. He also warned of workforce disruptions.

On Tuesday, the White House replied that Abbott’s orders were out of line with the businesses within the state. Jen Psaki, the White House Press Secretary stated that Abbott’s decision was driven by politics and not science.