With tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees ordered to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested weekly, U.S. Rep Glenn Thompson called it “blatant federal overreach.”

“Small businesses are already struggling to hire employees and cover costs,” Thompson said in statement Thursday, having come off a recent bout with a breakthrough case of COVID-19 himself.

“President Biden’s mandate will only serve to add further strain on our economy, in addition to rapidly rising inflation, skyrocketing energy and transportation costs, and a shortage of both goods and workers,” Thompson said.

The Centre County Republican called the mandate a “one-size-fits-all response” that ignores the fact that risk of hospitalization and mortality due to COVID-19 infection are not equal in the nation’s population.

“Pennsylvanians who are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine should consult their medical professional and make their own choices, not have the federal government dictate their health care decisions,” he said.

The new requirements are the Biden administration’s most aggressive move yet to persuade reluctant Americans to get a vaccine that has been widely available for months — or face financial consequences.