Waco Reporter

Yesterday, Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) and Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15), along with 24 colleagues, introduced Congressional Joint Resolution H.J.Res. 147. This resolution aims to nullify the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “worker walkaround rule.” The controversial rule is expected to fundamentally alter workplace safety inspections and potentially allow third parties to use an OSHA inspection as a means to gather information about the workplace, target workers for an organizing drive, or acquire proprietary business information.

Congressman Sessions criticized the new rule, stating, "The new ‘Walkaround Rule’ fails to further OSHA’s mandate to ensure safe working conditions. Add this flawed rule to numerous examples of the Biden Administration’s determination to impose ambiguous and burdensome regulations for political gain at the expense of American businesses. Requiring businesses to allow third parties access to their facilities introduces additional liability and potential disruption of important safety inspections. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Miller in introducing this joint resolution to protect the integrity of workplace inspections and prevent unsafe and unnecessary interference."

Congresswoman Miller also expressed her disapproval of the Biden administration's regulatory approach in workplaces. She said, “The Biden administration’s continued regulatory encroachment in the workplace bogs down American employers with more red tape and hinders the advancement of free enterprise in our country. Joe Biden’s government wants to control every aspect of American taxpayers’ lives, including in the workplace. Burdensome government regulations will prolong the stagnation of our economy, and force employers to spend more money to ensure that they are compliant with unnecessary laws.”

Echoing these sentiments was Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5). She described OSHA's final walkaround rule as a "regulatory cudgel" that could harm worker safety and employer property rights. Chairwoman Foxx said, “DOL’s final walkaround rule is a regulatory cudgel that will deal crushing blows to the safety of workers and the property rights of employers. This is yet another textbook example of regulatory warfare launched against free enterprise by President Biden. I’m pleased to support Vice Chair Miller’s CRA resolution to gut this rule and fend off more undue Big Labor encroachment by this administration.”