Byrne Votes to Repeal Labor Rule, Support Small Business

Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, voted in favor of legislation today to protect our nation’s workers, small businesses, and taxpayers.

The bill, House Joint Resolution 37, would block the “blacklisting” rule left over from the Obama Administration through the Congressional Review Act process. A federal judge has placed a preliminary injunction on the rule to prevent it from being implemented.

The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to pass a resolution of disapproval that prevents a federal agency from implementing a rule without Congressional authorization. Legislation under the Congressional Review Act cannot be filibustered in the Senate, which allows for expedited consideration.

The bill passed by a vote of 236 to 187.

Congressman Byrne delivered a speech from the House floor in support of the legislation. A transcript of his remarks can be found below.

Byrne said: “I appreciate the Chairwoman for yielding and for her leadership of our committee.

“I rise today to offer my strong support for H.J.Res.37. This legislation is about protecting our nation’s workers, small businesses, and taxpayers.

“As a former labor and employment attorney, I have seen the maze that businesses must jump through in order to become a federal contractor. Well, this rule would only make things that much harder for them.

“This regulation – due to the price of compliance – could force small and medium sized businesses, who can’t afford to hire a massive legal team, out of being able to get contracts with the federal government.

“This rule will add subjectivity to the federal procurement process and deprive contractors of due process rights.  As an attorney, I take that threat very seriously.

“We should be in the business of supporting policies to make it easier for these kinds of businesses to get new work, not harder.

“Now, Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues on the other side say this is just about punishing bad actors.

“But this rule would require federal contractors to disclose even alleged violations of wrongdoing, regardless of whether or not there is any credibility to the claims. Right now there are effective policies in place to prevent bad actors and contractors that break the law from receiving government contracts.

“This could be especially damaging for employers that are the target of union organizing campaigns or in a situation where a competitor files a claim in an effort to gain a competitive advantage. It elevates the risk of frivolous complaints and the loss of business.

“Instead of muddying the water and making it harder for our nation’s small and medium sized businesses, let’s use the current framework – not a new, burdensome regulation – to enforce the law and hold any bad actors accountable.

“I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution to block an overreaching and counterproductive rule.”