Weekly Wrap-Up from Ed & Workforce Republicans

June 9, 2017

Committee Leaders Move to Overturn Flawed Fiduciary Rule

Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Rep. Peter Roskam (R-IL), chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Policy, introduced the Affordable Retirement Advice for Savers Act (H.R. 2823). The legislation would protect access to affordable retirement advice by overturning the Obama administration's flawed fiduciary rule while ensuring retirement advisors serve the best interests of their clients.

Members released the following statements upon introduction:

"Our nation faces difficult challenges when it comes to retirement security, and the American people deserve real solutions," Rep. Roe said. "That is why, for years, we've been working to stop a flawed fiduciary rule that would make it harder for low- and middle-income families to save for retirement. The Obama administration made a reckless, unnecessary trade-off between strong protections for retirement savers and access to affordable retirement advice. This legislation reflects a more responsible solution that will ensure all Americans have access to affordable retirement advice that's in their best interest."

Led by Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), members recently detailed their concerns over the fiduciary rule in a letter sent to the Department of Labor (DOL). Chairwoman Foxx has also expressed the committee's disappointment in DOL's decision to allow the rule to take effect June 9, 2017.

Committee Leaders Take Action to Promote Worker Freedom

Members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce introduced two bills to promote fair union elections and restore important protections for workers and employers. The legislative proposals are the latest step in the committee's ongoing efforts to rein in overreach by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) during the Obama administration.

Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI), chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, introduced the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act (H.R. 2776) to protect worker freedom by addressing the NLRB's ambush election rule and micro-union scheme. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced the Employee Privacy Protection Act (H.R. 2775) to roll back NLRB policies that jeopardize the privacy of workers and their families.

"Workers deserve the opportunity to make a fully informed decision on whether or not to join a union, and that's exactly what this legislation is about," Rep. Walberg said. "After years of an activist agenda by the NLRB that weakened the rights of workers and employers, it's time to restore common sense to union elections. The Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act will reaffirm important protections for the hardworking men and women who keep our economy moving."

"For too long, the deck has been stacked in favor of union bosses at the expense of workers," Rep. Wilson said. "One such imbalance, found in the ambush election rule, permits unions to access excessive amounts of personal data about employees and their families before a union election -- leaving employees vulnerable to intimidation, threats, and harassment from union organizers. The Employee Privacy Protection Act is an important first step in rolling back the expansive labor regulations of the Obama administration."

"Together, these commonsense proposals will protect worker freedom and ensure fair union elections," Chairwoman Foxx said. "The decision to join or not join a union is a personal one, and workers deserve time and privacy as they decide what's best for them. I want to thank Representatives Walberg and Wilson for championing these proposals, which are the latest step in our efforts to restore fairness and balance to federal labor policies."

E&W Forecast

A Look at Next Week

Monday, June 12

Nothing is scheduled.

Tuesday, June 13

Nothing is scheduled.

Wednesday, June 14

Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions hearing at 10:15 a.m. in room 2175 Rayburn House Office Building on "Legislative Reforms to the National Labor Relations Act: H.R. 2776, Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act; H.R. 2775, Employee Privacy Protection Act; and H.R. 2723, Employee Rights Act."

Thursday, June 15

Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development hearing at 10:00 a.m. in room 2175 Rayburn House Office Building on "Helping Americans Get Back to Work: Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act."

Friday, June 16

Nothing is scheduled.

More from E&W Republicans

Foxx, Byrne Applaud DOL's Withdrawal of Job-Crushing Regulatory Guidance

This is another positive step toward undoing the damage of the Obama administration's extreme and partisan agenda. The regulatory guidance that is now reversed only served to empower union leaders while hurting small businesses, undermining economic growth, and limiting opportunities for hardworking men and women.

Committee Seeks Details on Steps DOL is Taking to Ensure Safety of Job Corps Students

Chairwoman Foxx and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), chairman of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, sent a letter to the Department of Labor (DOL) to express concerns over challenges facing the federal Job Corps program, as well as to request detailed information on steps the Department is taking to improve the health and safety of those who participate in the program.