White House and Hill Priorities Impact Workplace Agenda

Two panels at HRPA’s Employment & Labor Group meeting provided a full picture of workplace policy in Washington DC. A panel of Washington insiders laid out the Trump administration’s approach to workplace issues. In a separate panel, House and Senate staff laid out what’s likely to happen in Congress this year.

Apprenticeships high on DOL agenda: Panelists discussed the administration’s focus on apprenticeships through a June executive order that envisions one million new apprenticeship opportunities. 

• The Administration has reached out to HRPA to glean insight on what jobs employers are struggling to fill and what obstacles employers have experienced through the current registered apprenticeship program.

Focus on child labor: The administration is focused on rooting out child labor and robust enforcement is expected in this area.

Opinion letters reinstated: The Department of Labor has reinstated its opinion letter program enabling employers to submit a question about the application of federal labor law to a specific situation and receive an official, written interpretation on how the law applied from DOL. If practice is challenged, these letters can help employers relying on the letters to demonstrate lawfulness.

Congressional priorities: Lead staff for House and Senate committees that handle workplace issues highlighted what to expect from Congress through the end of the year.

• Senate nominations: Daniel Chasen, Deputy Director on the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee reported that the chamber has moved a “near record-breaking number of nominees through [the process].” Once nominees are finalized and the Senate finishes consideration of the “One Big Beautiful” reconciliation bill, the Senate HELP committee chair, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) has identified his priority topics he wants to take action on:

  • Independent contractors and portable benefits;

  • Legislation revising non-competes; and

  • Legislation easing the use of ESOPs.

• House priorities: Kevin O’Keefe, professional staff of the House Education and Workforce committee, identified several workplace issues where the committee anticipates marking up bills over the summer:

  • Joint employer legislation;

  • FLSA overtime modernization; and

  • Paid leave, possibly later in the year.

Click here for a recap of all ELG panels.