Tuberville Calls for End of Harmful Biden-era Heat Rule

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in introducing the Heat Workforce Standards Act to protect workers from the dangerous Biden-era heat standards that threaten jobs and create new safety risks. This comes after Sen. Tuberville and his colleagues sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) calling for the DOL to reverse the ruling. “Alabama’s workers are on the frontlines of making our state the best it can be,” said Sen. Tuberville. “ The lives of our workers should not be on the line just for doing their job. The current heat rule is far outdated and in need of a major overhaul — this bill would do just that.” Sens. Tuberville and Cassidy were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Jim Risch (R-ID) in introducing the legislation. AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), American Bakers Association, American Building Materials Alliance, American Craft Spirits Association, American Lighting Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), American Supply Association, Americans for Prosperity, Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated Industries of Florida, Brick Industry Association, Distribution Contractors Association, Family Business Coalition , Florida Attractions Association, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association, Gases and Welding Distributors Association, Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International, Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, Independent Electrical Contractors, Indiana Farm Bureau, International Franchise Association, Mason Contractors Association of America, National Apartment Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Manufacturers, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Federation of Independent Business, National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Restaurant Association, National RV Dealers Association (RVDA), North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers (NAFEM), Pennsylvania Utility Contractors Association, Petroleum Equipment Institute (PEI), Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), Plastics Pipe Institute, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), Power & Communication Contractors Association, PRINTING United Alliance, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA), Treated Wood Council, and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association endorsed the legislation. Read full text of the legislation here . BACKGROUND: Under current federal law, employers are required to take commonsense measures to protect their workers from heat. In 2024, the Biden administration proposed a new rule requiring all employers, including small businesses, to comply with burdensome mandates on staffing, recordkeeping, and mandatory breaks tied to heat thresholds. These one-size-fits-all requirements create new safety risks on job sites that extend beyond heat-related injuries while making compliance nearly impossible for employers and workers. The rule would raise costs on small businesses, forcing them to eliminate jobs for hardworking Americans. Recently, the Trump administration launched a program ensuring employers and workers know how to comply with the law and that workplaces do not have extreme heat hazards. The Republican legislation reflects current federal law that protects workers while giving clarity to workers and employers. Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees. ###