Chambana Sun

Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-IL) spearheaded an initiative involving 25 of her colleagues to introduce legislation aimed at nullifying the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “worker walkaround rule.” This rule significantly alters the nature of workplace safety inspections, potentially allowing third parties to use an OSHA inspection as a means to gather information about the workplace, target workers for an organizing drive, or obtain proprietary information.

Miller expressed her concerns over the regulation stating, “The Biden administration’s continued regulatory encroachment in the workplace bogs down American employers with more red tape and hinders the advancement of free enterprise in our country. Joe Biden’s government wants to control every aspect of American taxpayers’ lives, including in the workplace. Burdensome government regulations will prolong the stagnation of our economy, and force employers to spend more money to ensure that they are compliant with unnecessary laws.”

Supporting Miller's stance, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said, “DOL’s final walkaround rule is a regulatory cudgel that will deal crushing blows to the safety of workers and the property rights of employers. This is yet another textbook example of regulatory warfare launched against free enterprise by President Biden. I’m pleased to support Vice Chair Miller’s CRA resolution to gut this rule and fend off more undue Big Labor encroachment by this administration.”

Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX) also expressed his disapproval of the new regulation stating, “The new ‘Walkaround Rule’ fails to further OSHA’s mandate to ensure safe working conditions. Add this flawed rule to numerous examples of the Biden Administration’s determination to impose ambiguous and burdensome regulations for political gain at the expense of American businesses. Requiring businesses to allow third parties access to their facilities introduces additional liability and potential disruption of important safety inspections. I am pleased to join Congresswoman Miller in introducing this joint resolution to protect the integrity of workplace inspections and prevent unsafe and unnecessary interference."