Byrne named ranking member of workforce protections subcommittee

Published 11:03 am Friday, February 1, 2019

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Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, was named the Ranking Member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee this week.

Byrne said: “Alabama’s workers deserve federal workplace polices that make it easier and safer for them to do their job without worrying about burdensome and confusing government regulations. I’m honored to again lead this Subcommittee as we fight for American workers and work to ensure the balance of power is not tilted in favor of Big Labor at the expense of hardworking Americans.”

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, the Ranking Member of the Education and Labor Committee, praised Byrne’s commitment to workplace policies that support American workers.

Education and Labor Committee Ranking Member Virginia Foxx said: “Rep. Byrne has been a valued member of the Committee on Education and Labor, and I am pleased we will continue to benefit from his knowledge and leadership, especially on wages and fairness in the workplace, as he leads our efforts on the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.”

Last Congress, Byrne was Chairman of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. As Chairman, Byrne championed several initiatives focused on lessening burdensome regulations on businesses, including the Save Local Business Act, which clarified what constitutes a “joint employer” under federal labor law. The bill rolled back the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) vague and expansive joint employer standard to provide certainty for local businesses and their employees. The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 242 to 181.

With Republicans now in the minority, the lead Republican on each committee and subcommittee is known as the Ranking Member.

The Workforce Protections Subcommittee has jurisdiction over wages and hours of workers, workers’ compensation, the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, trade and international labor rights, and immigration issues as they affect employers and workers.