Republicans tend to Rewrite Standards Set by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration

U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ, 8th) today issued the following statement condemning the Republican attempt to pass four anti-worker safety measures that would weaken workplace safety regulations, nationwide.

Specifically, the legislation would 1) undermine the prompt abatement of safety and health hazards at the workplace; 2) stack the OSHA Review Commission by expanding it from three to five members (with the newest members to be appointed by the Bush Administration); 3) overturn a unanimous Supreme Court decision and undermine the Labor Department's authority in interpreting worker safety laws; and 4) block access to justice by requiring OSHA to pay employers' attorneys' fees in cases in which it did not prevail.

"Under the guise of 'cutting red tape,' the Bush administration is coming right out and saying it:  they don't care about the plight of American workers," charged Pascrell.  "This package does not create jobs - it makes the workplace less safe for Americans trying to do their jobs."

"Since the beginning of the Bush Administration, 2.2 million private sector jobs have been lost," added Pascrell.  "Instead of launching publicity stunts, Republicans should work to adopt bipartisan, job creation strategies."

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