Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and several Republican committee members today are pushing Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su to extend the public comment period for the Department of Labor’s (DOL) misguided and irresponsible rule proposed for the 14(c) program. The program provides meaningful rehabilitation and skills to workers with severe physical and mental disabilities. Chairwoman Foxx is joined by Chairman-elect Tim Walberg (R-MI), Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), and Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI). 
 
In a letter to Su, the members highlight the value of this program, as well as the “inappropriately rushed process” that DOL is attempting to complete before the Biden-Harris administration is out of power. 
 
The lawmakers write: “Such a drastic step of eliminating 14(c) certificates will significantly limit opportunities for these workers who rely on these jobs to help them find purpose and personal fulfillment, and to learn meaningful skills. A major policy change should be afforded meaningful consideration by a range of impacted stakeholders. Instead, in this NPRM, the Biden-Harris administration seeks to close the public comment period on January 17, 2025, following a mere 44 days for consideration and comment, which includes the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.”
 
The letter continues: “Because the far-reaching regulatory change would impact hundreds of workplaces and thousands of workers who value their occupations, we are concerned that DOL provided only for a 44 day-comment period. This short time period is particularly concerning when stakeholders will need to evaluate the probable effects of the proposed rule and write thoughtful comments over the course of the holiday season. In addition, DOL’s decision to publish the NPRM in the closing days of the Biden-Harris administration and to close the comment period only three days prior to the incoming Trump administration created an inappropriately rushed process for an issue that requires great thought and care on behalf of the impacted workforce and employers.”
 
Foxx, Walberg, Thompson, and Grothman conclude by calling on DOL to extend the public comment period by an additional 46 days, for a total of 90 days. 
 
Read the full letter here.