Like Causes?

Install the App
TRY NOW
Countable Is Officially Causes.com

house Bill H. Joint Res. 83

Blocking a Regulation That Lets OSHA Cite Employers for Record-Keeping Violations in the Last Five Years

Argument in favor

The Obama administration overstepped its authority when it issued a rule extending a statute of limitations that let businesses be cited for record-keeping violations under OSHA in the last five years rather than just the last six months. The rule should be repealed.

TuckerWantsLiberty's Opinion
···
02/27/2017
This regulation is EXACTLY why we need to ELIMINATE unconstitutional executive departments. By what authority did Obama's labor department extend this regulation from six months to five years? The Declaration of Independence says that "governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Did you consent to this regulation? Did you get a chance to vote for or against it, citizen? Did your duly-appointed representatives in Congress? Nope! So if it wasn't by the consent of the governed, then by what authority do these agencies act? By their own. By their own self-declared authority. And what kind of leadership claims and expands its own authority: one moving us toward liberty or one moving us toward tyranny (no government action is neutral)? In the interest of not giving up an inch of liberty in any sphere, I say to vote in favor of blocking that regulation. If longer records are something you want, then use your voice (via your representation in the houses of Congress) to declare your consent. Now, I would still oppose it because I think that's none of the government's business, but there I have an opportunity to declare my non-consent. But do not tyrannically declare that "this is now the way it's going to be, not because you all agreed to it, but because I say so." Is that really a precedent you want to set?
Like (65)
Follow
Share
Elinor's Opinion
···
02/27/2017
When will any business owner be permitted time to actually do any work? Government is increasingly interfering with our time to earn money by wasting our time with required record keeping. OSHA is just one government entity that does this. Consider that most employers have to complete state and federal forms that are required monthly, quarterly, semiannually, and annually. We do not get paid to do secretarial work for government.
Like (32)
Follow
Share
Tyler.Liberty's Opinion
···
02/27/2017
Too much power in the hands of too few people in Washington, D.C. It also puts government's hand deeper into the inner workings of businesses and the work of private individuals. These regulations are unconstitutional, stifle American ingenuity, and keep people poor by holding back businesses that would better grow without them. A regulation may help workers, but it needs to be done right and not through a unilateral, illegal directive by an unconstitutional federal agency.
Like (29)
Follow
Share

Argument opposed

It makes sense to allow OSHA to cite employers for violations in their workplace safety records over a five-year timespan even if that exceeds the six months that Congress authorized. The regulation should stay in effect.

ShePersisted's Opinion
···
02/27/2017
"It makes sense to allow OSHA to cite employers for violations in their workplace safety records over a five-year timespan even if that exceeds the six months that Congress authorized. The regulation should stay in effect." OSHA protects workers. Vote no, do not repeal this legislation.
Like (255)
Follow
Share
Maureen 's Opinion
···
02/27/2017
As a safety and loss prevention professional, I've observed small and large employers "rolling the dice" with their (or temp) employees health and safety. It's not "all" employers but for those that actually get visited by OSHA (minuscule amount).. Repeat injuries should be corrected in the workplace long before the next one occurs, and in order to fully assess accountability to reducing risk within the workplace, a historical review of OSHA logs is necessary. If in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, an employer records the same injury type in the same job function, a citation should be considered accountability beyond paying for W/C injuries through their insurance claim process. In most cases, the company knows about the unsafe conditions and or behaviors that are occurring and they do little to prevent the next injury from happening.
Like (168)
Follow
Share
Ross's Opinion
···
02/27/2017
When an OSHA Compliance Officer comes in to do an investigation, they ask for the current year 300 logs (injury logs) and the past 5 years. They don't come in every six months asking for the logs. Removing this rule would encourage businesses to be more risky with how accurate their logs are. If companies are being honest and not attempting to hide anything, there should really be no incentive to overturn this rule.
Like (70)
Follow
Share

joint resolution Progress

  • EnactedApril 3rd, 2017
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The senate Passed March 22nd, 2017
    Roll Call Vote 50 Yea / 48 Nay
  • The house Passed March 1st, 2017
    Roll Call Vote 231 Yea / 191 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Education and Labor
    IntroducedFebruary 21st, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!

Bill Activity

  • action
    Introduced in House
  • referral
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
  • action
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 150 Reported to House. Provides for consideration of H.R. 998 and H.J.Res. 83.
  • action
    Rule H. Res. 150 passed House.
  • action
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 150.
  • action
    Provides for consideration of H.R. 998 and H.J.Res. 83.
  • action
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 83.
  • action
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  • action
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.J. Res. 83, the Chair put the question on passage and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Scott (VA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of passage until a time to be announced.
  • action
    Considered as unfinished business.
  • vote
    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 231 - 191 (Roll no. 121).
  • action
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • action
    Received in the Senate, read twice.
  • action
    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
  • action
    Measure laid before Senate by motion.
  • vote
    Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 48. Record Vote Number: 93.
  • action
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  • topresident
    Presented to President.
  • signed
    Signed by President.
  • enacted
    Became Public Law No: 115-21.

joint resolution Progress

  • EnactedApril 3rd, 2017
    The President signed this bill into law
  • The senate Passed March 22nd, 2017
    Roll Call Vote 50 Yea / 48 Nay
  • The house Passed March 1st, 2017
    Roll Call Vote 231 Yea / 191 Nay
      house Committees
      Committee on Education and Labor
    IntroducedFebruary 21st, 2017
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    TuckerWantsLiberty's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/27/2017
    This regulation is EXACTLY why we need to ELIMINATE unconstitutional executive departments. By what authority did Obama's labor department extend this regulation from six months to five years? The Declaration of Independence says that "governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Did you consent to this regulation? Did you get a chance to vote for or against it, citizen? Did your duly-appointed representatives in Congress? Nope! So if it wasn't by the consent of the governed, then by what authority do these agencies act? By their own. By their own self-declared authority. And what kind of leadership claims and expands its own authority: one moving us toward liberty or one moving us toward tyranny (no government action is neutral)? In the interest of not giving up an inch of liberty in any sphere, I say to vote in favor of blocking that regulation. If longer records are something you want, then use your voice (via your representation in the houses of Congress) to declare your consent. Now, I would still oppose it because I think that's none of the government's business, but there I have an opportunity to declare my non-consent. But do not tyrannically declare that "this is now the way it's going to be, not because you all agreed to it, but because I say so." Is that really a precedent you want to set?
    Like (65)
    Follow
    Share
    ShePersisted's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    "It makes sense to allow OSHA to cite employers for violations in their workplace safety records over a five-year timespan even if that exceeds the six months that Congress authorized. The regulation should stay in effect." OSHA protects workers. Vote no, do not repeal this legislation.
    Like (255)
    Follow
    Share
    Kristen's Public Comment
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Blocking a regulation that helps keep American workers safe makes no sense. Complaining about it being too much paperwork simply demonstrates a lack of empathy and foresight.
    Like (566)
    Follow
    Share
    Maureen 's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    As a safety and loss prevention professional, I've observed small and large employers "rolling the dice" with their (or temp) employees health and safety. It's not "all" employers but for those that actually get visited by OSHA (minuscule amount).. Repeat injuries should be corrected in the workplace long before the next one occurs, and in order to fully assess accountability to reducing risk within the workplace, a historical review of OSHA logs is necessary. If in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, an employer records the same injury type in the same job function, a citation should be considered accountability beyond paying for W/C injuries through their insurance claim process. In most cases, the company knows about the unsafe conditions and or behaviors that are occurring and they do little to prevent the next injury from happening.
    Like (168)
    Follow
    Share
    Ross's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    When an OSHA Compliance Officer comes in to do an investigation, they ask for the current year 300 logs (injury logs) and the past 5 years. They don't come in every six months asking for the logs. Removing this rule would encourage businesses to be more risky with how accurate their logs are. If companies are being honest and not attempting to hide anything, there should really be no incentive to overturn this rule.
    Like (70)
    Follow
    Share
    Mirek's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Why would anyone vote against a rule that is designed to protect workers? OSHA needs to be able to cite companies for inadequate records keeping regarding accidents if it is to make rules designed to prevent accidents. Voting for this bill will diminish the agency's ability to protect workers and is a gift to unethical bosses.
    Like (41)
    Follow
    Share
    Elinor's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/27/2017
    When will any business owner be permitted time to actually do any work? Government is increasingly interfering with our time to earn money by wasting our time with required record keeping. OSHA is just one government entity that does this. Consider that most employers have to complete state and federal forms that are required monthly, quarterly, semiannually, and annually. We do not get paid to do secretarial work for government.
    Like (32)
    Follow
    Share
    Tyler.Liberty's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Too much power in the hands of too few people in Washington, D.C. It also puts government's hand deeper into the inner workings of businesses and the work of private individuals. These regulations are unconstitutional, stifle American ingenuity, and keep people poor by holding back businesses that would better grow without them. A regulation may help workers, but it needs to be done right and not through a unilateral, illegal directive by an unconstitutional federal agency.
    Like (29)
    Follow
    Share
    Vicki's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/28/2017
    Our workers should always be guaranteed a safe place to work. OSHA is a watchdog for workers and should be allowed to continue. Employers used to do the right thing by their employees, unfortunately workers can no longer count on this. Enter OSHA. :-)
    Like (28)
    Follow
    Share
    Maureen 's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    The five year limit helps ensure that employers don't try to doctor the records when caught in violation.
    Like (24)
    Follow
    Share
    Adam's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    There are many people who would have us believe that government regulations are bad for everyone. That somehow this loss of time and need to be held to a better standard of practice equals less profit that also hurts the worker. In many ways this is likened to trickle down economics. The same trickle down economics that lead to the decimation of the middle class. Regulations on business is the friend of the average working person. Unchecked capitalism leads to crimes against humanity. As a former construction worker, and teamster I know how much of a pain osha can be. But thank god they are there. Without osha, government regulations, and unions we would be bound by longer hours, lower wages, and horrific work environments. Unfortunately republicans are looking to turn back the clock on us and are succeeding in many ways. There is a history behind the need for regulation, and it's bloody. READ UP! Then decide.
    Like (24)
    Follow
    Share
    John's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    The pre-Volks law was that businesses must create records w/in six months. That seems reasonable, and employers should be held to that. Once the records have been created, I don't think's unreasonable (or costly) to simply retain them. Given how long it can take the government to get around to checking stuff like this, I don't think a six-month "statute of limitations" is good (meaning, if you can manage to escape government attention (probably due to funding limitations) for six months, you can skate). Folks who want to block this rule should ALSO allocate sufficient funds for the administration to enforce the six-month limit. Since I don't think that will happen, the rule should not be blocked.
    Like (19)
    Follow
    Share
    byron's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    03/01/2017
    Go through congress like you're supposed to.
    Like (15)
    Follow
    Share
    SophiaEllingson's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Do not overturn this regulation, no harm can come from it- it is in place to protect workers. A vote against is a vote for our workers.
    Like (15)
    Follow
    Share
    Leo's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Record keeping often leads to a safer workplace.
    Like (14)
    Follow
    Share
    Cade's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Do not overturn this regulation
    Like (14)
    Follow
    Share
    Barbara 's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Tell American workers you have their backs, Congress. Vote No.
    Like (12)
    Follow
    Share
    CPMonroe's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    Record manipulation is deliberate act and it is how organizations hide their wrongdoings & flaunt regulations, laws & thus democracy. Don't let Congress & businesses become crucibles of corruption!
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    DeanLA's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/27/2017
    “Every worker deserves safe and healthy working conditions, and bad actors who put hardworking men and women in harm’s way must be held accountable… Unfortunately, the Obama administration consistently doubled down on failed, punitive policies that do more to tie small businesses in red tape than protect workers. With this rule, OSHA rewrote federal law while doing nothing to improve worker health and safety. Congress must reject this unlawful power grab and encourage the agency to adopt the responsible, proactive safety approach that America's workers deserve.” I agree. Another last minute regulation that needs to be undone. When citizens were complaining to Speaker Paul Ryan about not advancing legislation to enact President Trump's agenda, he said they have a priority to reverse a bunch of regulations from the Obama administration. President Obama and his group of liberals had eight years to cause problems for America's businesses. Conservatives, can you imagine the nightmare of regulations from a Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders administration? Thank goodness they didn't win. President Trump and his administration are going to help American businesses and that should get him reelected in four years.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    jbot's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/27/2017
    unless OSHA has the budget to fully fund inspections and enforcement, there is always going to be a backlog.
    Like (11)
    Follow
    Share
    MORE