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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 693-4650
Seven years ago, we put together a formula for national
economic success that works for America. And we know that our continued
economic prosperity depends on two things -- businesses getting the skilled
workers they need to keep our economy growing, and workers getting the skills
training they need to keep working smarter. Today, the House Appropriations
Committee abandoned both.
By voting to slash investments that empower Americans to
work harder, smarter and safer, the House Appropriations Committee says "no" to
the 13 million Americans who are not sharing in our economic prosperity --
workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, young people,
former welfare recipients, ex- offenders, veterans and adults with disabilities
who are unemployed or under-employed. We need to give them the skills they need
to get good, family-supporting jobs. By cutting the budget on the training
initiatives our workers need to compete and succeed in the 21st century, the
House Appropriations Committee undercut working families, and ignored American
businesses who tell us every day how desperate they are for skilled workers.
Today, the committee also said "no" to the hundreds of
thousands of American workers who suffer from debilitating musculoskeletal
injuries that could be prevented by the new ergonomics standard OSHA has
proposed. Ergonomics programs have helped employers raise productivity, prevent
injuries and disability to their employees, and reduce the cost of workers'
compensation. OSHA must be allowed to complete work on this important rule.
American workers have already waited too long.
The House bill reported out of full committee today is
unacceptable. The President has said that he would veto it in its current form.
The funding levels for vital worker programs must be restored, and the
prohibition against moving forward on OSHA's ergonomics rule must be deleted in
any final action on the FY 2001 Labor/HHS/ED appropriations bill.
Background: The House Appropriations
Committee adopted an amendment to the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill
by Rep. Northrup that would prohibit OSHA from using appropriated funds to
promulgate, issue, implement, administer or enforce any ergonomic standard. The
ergonomic rulemaking is underway. More than 1,000 witnesses have testified,
7,000 written comments have been submitted and the post-hearing comment period
has just begun.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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