Republican Bill Seeks to Eliminate Federal Heat Protections Amid Rising Temperatures
A Republican-led House committee has passed a bill that would prevent the U.S. Labor Department from establishing federal standards to protect workers from extreme heat. The legislation, known as the Heat Workforce Standards Act, was introduced by Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Ind.) and passed the House Education and Workforce Committee with an 18-15 vote along party lines. This move comes as the country experiences sweltering heat, raising concerns about worker safety. The bill would bar the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from implementing nationwide heat protections, including those proposed by the Biden administration in 2024. The AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the U.S., has criticized the bill, emphasizing that extreme heat is a significant workplace hazard. A coalition of labor unions and advocacy groups has also expressed opposition, highlighting the increasing number of heat-related worker fatalities. 
