Press Releases

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued the following statement on two Department of Labor (DOL) proposals to reverse harmful rules issued by previous administrations on compensation for in-home care providers and additional regulations when employing H-2A farm workers:

“If enacted, these proposals would be major wins for American workers and families. The Obama-era rule removing the longstanding exemption from overtime pay for in-home caregivers forced families and seniors to pay more for care when they simply couldn’t afford it—while caregivers had to juggle more patients just to earn the same income. I am glad the Trump administration is taking steps to remove regulations that placed an undue burden on patients and their families and limited affordable home care options.

“I also commend DOL’s proposed rule to rescind a harmful Biden-era move that empowered union leaders and tied the hands of America’s farmers. In deference to its union backers, the Biden-Harris administration subverted the H-2A visa program and undermined a cornerstone of America’s agricultural workforce. With so many farmers already operating on razor-thin margins, we should not impose unnecessary red tape and make it harder for them to succeed. This is a common-sense decision that benefits our agricultural workforce and secures our nation’s food supply.”

Background: 

• Last year, Chairman Walberg introduced the Ensuring Access to Affordable and Quality Home Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities Act, along with Reps. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) and Adrian Smith (R-NE), to overturn the Obama administration’s misguided home care rule. 

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