Chairman John Kline (R-MN), Elementary and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN), Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) have sent letters to several agencies within the committee's jur... Read more »
Dear Mr. Elmendorf and Mr. Barthold: We request information regarding the projected increase in subsidy spending should premium tax credits also be made available to individuals enrolled in multiemployer health plans. It is critical that Congress understand the potential ramifications on the federal budget of a possible new regulatory decree by the administration that would allow millions of union... Read more »
Dear Secretary Perez: In the last decade, the line between so-called “worker centers” and labor organizations has blurred. Today, many of these “worker centers” are dealing with employers directly on behalf of employees. Given these activities, a case has been made that at least some “worker centers” are labor organizations as defined by the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), ... Read more »
Dear Assistant Secretary Michaels: On February 21, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a letter of interpretation allowing Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHO or inspectors) to be accompanied by third-parties who are selected by employees of the company being inspected. Rescinding a previous letter of interpretation from March 7, 2003, referred to as the “... Read more »
Dear Secretary Lew, Secretary Sebelius, and Acting-Secretary Harris: We write to seek clarification of the Obama administration’s regulatory and enforcement efforts related to stop loss insurance. Specifically, we are concerned the administration may be considering regulating stop loss insurance. Such regulations could limit an employer’s ability to self-insure, making this important option both ... Read more »
Dear Assistant Secretary Michaels: We strongly support and share the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) commitment to reducing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Accordingly, any proposed regulations issued by OSHA ultimately must contribute to the goal of safer and healthier workplaces. To that end, we request information regarding OSHA’s work to create a new f... Read more »
Dear Acting Secretary Harris: In 2011, the committee submitted a comment opposing the Department of Labor's Office of Labor-Management Standards' (OLMS) proposed changes to the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) "advice" exception. The committee continues to be concerned about the proposed definition of "advice" under the LMRDA, and its resulting regulatory burdens and negative... Read more »
Dear Secretary Vilsack: As the school year comes to an end, states, school districts, parents, students, the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Congress have now had a fully year to examine the effects of the updated meal pattern standards on the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. After closely monitoring the implementation of the new requirements, we remain concerned about the over... Read more »
Dear Acting Secretary Harris: We are seriously concerned by allegations that the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), its officers, and their co-conspirators aided and abetted in and/or embezzled and/or withheld millions of dollars from IUOE Local 501 and its members, prevented IUOE Local 501 from expanding its membership, and denied the members of IUOE Local 501 the right to freely... Read more »
Dear Ms. Ruemmler: We are deeply concerned by allegations that Richard Griffin, while serving as General Counsel of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), participated in a conspiracy to conceal the embezzlement of union funds from IUOE Local 501 and its members, as well as deprive those union members of a fair and honest election. On January 9, 2012 President Obama recess appoint... Read more »
