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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Amy Auth
202-225-2071

Today, United States Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.-5) voted to pass four OSHA reform initiatives to improve the climate for small businesses.

“As a small businesswoman, I am committed to passing legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government,” said Rep. Foxx. “I am pleased that we passed these bills to cut red tape, improve workplace safety and promote small business growth.”

Rep. Foxx made the following remarks on the House floor during debate this afternoon:

“Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support and cosponsor all four of these important pieces of legislation on OSHA reform. Each is an integral step to come to the aid of our small businesses.

“Not only are our small businesses increasingly faced with greater competition from the bigger competitors in the U.S. but also are they faced with greater competition from across the globe. The last thing they need are unnecessary and burdensome regulations from their own government back home. According to a study discussed in the Office of Management and Budget’s Draft Report to Congress on the Costs and Benefits of Federal Regulation for 2005, it is estimated that the “total cost of Federal regulation (environmental, workplace, economic, and tax compliance regulation) was 60 percent greater per employee for firms with under 20 employees compared to firms with over 500 employees.” In another recent study, these costs translate to approximately $7,000 in regulatory costs per employee per year. We need to aid our small businesses in being more competitive, not help force them out of business. Certainly, the goals of the Occupational Safety and Health Agency to ensure workplace safety and health are laudable, and protecting our workers is and must remain paramount. But oftentimes good intentions do not result in the best practices. Our small businesses and our workers deserve better.

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