05.15.09
"The Bush administration’s proposal would have dramatically slowed important initiatives to ensure the health and safety of American workers,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “Workplace health and safety regulations must be based on science that responds to real hazards and not slowed by special interest roadblocks set by political appointees.”
“I am thankful that under Secretary Solis’ leadership, the Department has decided to withdraw this proposed rule - which was developed in secrecy and without the input of health and safety experts,” said Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. “The Secretary recognizes that the safety of workers is our top priority, and to do this we must be in the business of putting in place needed health and safety standards.”
The Washington Post reported last year on a proposal being developed by political appointees in secret with little consultation with career agency health and safety experts. The proposal would have added additional red tape to an already slow regulatory process.
Education and Labor Committee members introduced legislation last July to prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing the regulation. The Workforce Protections Subcommittee held a hearing on the proposal in September.
For more information on the proposal, click here.
House Dems Applaud Expected Withdrawal of Last-Minute Secret Bush Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Members of the House Committee on Education and Labor today applauded the Department of Labor’s announcement that they intend to withdraw a Bush era proposal that would have dramatically weakened future workplace health and safety regulations and slow their enactment."The Bush administration’s proposal would have dramatically slowed important initiatives to ensure the health and safety of American workers,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “Workplace health and safety regulations must be based on science that responds to real hazards and not slowed by special interest roadblocks set by political appointees.”
“I am thankful that under Secretary Solis’ leadership, the Department has decided to withdraw this proposed rule - which was developed in secrecy and without the input of health and safety experts,” said Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. “The Secretary recognizes that the safety of workers is our top priority, and to do this we must be in the business of putting in place needed health and safety standards.”
The Washington Post reported last year on a proposal being developed by political appointees in secret with little consultation with career agency health and safety experts. The proposal would have added additional red tape to an already slow regulatory process.
Education and Labor Committee members introduced legislation last July to prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing the regulation. The Workforce Protections Subcommittee held a hearing on the proposal in September.
For more information on the proposal, click here.
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