Andrew Chung and Lawrence Hurley

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Supreme Court will consider Friday’s requests from Republican state officials as well as business groups in order to stop President Joe Biden’s mandate to immunize employers employing more than 100 employees and a similar requirement to healthcare facilities during a period of rising COVID-19 case numbers.

In two cases that test presidential power to address a crisis in public health that has claimed more than 830,000 Americans’ lives, the nine justices will hear two hours worth of arguments starting at 10:00 EST (1000 GMT).

According to the White House, the temporary mandates are intended to save Americans’ lives and boost the U.S. economic strength by increasing vaccinations by millions.

They argued that Congress did not authorize the Federal Government to impose certain requirements and the government failed to use the correct administrative processes in issuing emergency regulations.

In the past, the conservative court majority of 6-3 has expressed skepticism about broad actions taken by federal agencies.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration required all workers with more than 100 employees to have their vaccines or be tested each week. It was a requirement that more than 80,000,000 workers throughout the United States.

In attempting to stop this mandate, the National Federation of Independent Business and Ohio are leading the charge. Separate cases are being filed by religious groups, including Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The Supreme Court is reviewing the second policy and requires vaccinations for about 10.3 millions workers in approximately 76,000 health care facilities. This includes hospitals, nursing homes, and those who participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for administering the two programs, issued the rule. Missouri and Louisiana will lead arguments in court to stop the rule.

The Supreme Court already dealt with pandemic cases and dismissed religious objections to the state’s vaccine mandates. The Friday cases testify for the first-time that the federal government is authorized to issue mandates regarding vaccines.

In other cases relating to pandemics, the court has supported religious challenges against certain restrictions. It also ended federal government’s residential expulsion moratorium that was originally in place under President Donald Trump.

In the United States vaccination is becoming a controversial issue. There are many Americans who oppose it and Republicans that criticize mandates placed by government and private businesses. Omicron coronavirus, which is causing an increase in COVID-19 infections worldwide, has caused a surge in cases in the United States.

Biden’s government is asking justices in Missouri and Louisiana to remove orders that block the mandate for healthcare workers in 50 of the 50 US states. Meanwhile, litigation over the lawfulness of the policy goes on.

Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted an injunction from another court, Dec. 17, that blocked OSHA’s rule regarding large business. This prompted challengers and the Supreme Court to step in.

Biden’s government argues that Congress allowed federal agencies to have broad latitude in requiring employers to ensure workers are protected from safety and illness.

Both cases will be decided quickly. The deadlines set by the Administration for compliance are also expected to be met.

Although they worked most of the time remotely, nine justices returned to person arguments in October. According to the court, all nine were fully vaccinated.