Revocation of Certain Executive Orders

This executive order revokes two Biden-era COVID-19 mandates: EO 14042 requiring federal contractors to implement COVID safety protocols, and EO 14043 requiring federal employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The revocations take effect immediately upon signing with no replacement framework imposed.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 8637

Impact dates

Sep 9, 2021
Revoke Executive Order 14042 of September 9, 2021
Sep 9, 2021
Revoke Executive Order 14043 of September 9, 2021

Key directives

Revoke Executive Order 14042 of September 9, 2021
Revoke Executive Order 14043 of September 9, 2021

Timeline

Immediate

Revocation of EO 14042 (federal contractor COVID safety protocols)
Revocation of EO 14043 (federal employee vaccination mandate)
Federal contractors and employees no longer subject to these requirements

Near term (90d)

Agencies may need to update contract clauses and workplace policies
Potential litigation or confusion about status of ongoing contract disputes related to prior mandates

Long term

Lasting change to federal public health emergency powers precedent
Potential reversion to pre-2021 baseline for federal workforce health policies

Risks & tensions

Legal uncertainty for contractors/employees with pending litigation or adverse actions under revoked EOs
No guidance on whether revoked EOs' effects (terminations, exemptions, accommodations) are undone retroactively or prospectively only
Potential tension with ongoing collective bargaining agreements that incorporated vaccine requirements