[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6308473,"mediaKeyId","2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a","parentId",2422170,"title","Partisan dispute over job gains, inflation and House budget resolution's effects on workers","audioSeconds",7838,"startMs",1522000,"endMs",9360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a&start=1522&end=9360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6308473/Partisan-dispute-over-job-gains-inflation-and-House-budget-resolutions-effects-on-workers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308473-a9a739912934ca5091bc07c18e0b730a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078476&Signature=NfkuP~MofXkqtHwiB-We~7FNYmpz256mF2zygPCTyiakY9jCYoaak7UlsJki4nbNVA18ci6jVznQDfpLW7hVliSrTNiY5Z5LKom3RQCAr0db~zADQcNKfAmwp5GIdmpI9vr6SCcbRJChGdgrOeNQPnIf8aqyVDc-6hdjL4TPcw1iMrw4MQNaNX07~xfGL8fG4YUgUOtjLEXLTSAiSn4PEIx~jShvoVbIoIKyPeqaO9TLpamLT5PfOq~dk8pmyS98TbPPZBjEmh4aqzKI~bEOH35gOFTLceJTJSeRtk21XJfslEdjSvOpgNceTnIDFi1OhsgXBhhuH1SWsQSr-yRqPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","Committee members used the hearing to stake out competing narratives about recent job gains, inflation and the House Republican budget blueprint.

Ranking Member Bobby Scott and other Democrats highlighted labor market gains under the prior administration, citing Bureau of Labor Statistics figures that \"the economy created 16,200,000 jobs,\" and noting low unemployment rates that had persisted for months. Scott and witnesses such as Dr. Heidi Scheerholz argued that the budget resolution under consideration in the House — which ranking Democrats said directs the committee to identify roughly $3.33 trillion in savings and funds \"$4,500,000,000,000 in tax cuts\" for high‑income households — would require deep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start and other programs that support workers and families. Scheerholz said such cuts \"will cause enormous damage to this country's most vulnerable households\" and would weaken the economy rather than \"unleashing\" workers.

Republican members and economics witnesses presented a different emphasis. Chairman Shermann Wahlberg and witnesses such as Dr. William Beach argued that regulatory relief and making certain tax provisions permanent — notably the small business deduction and other TCJA features — spur investment, increase productivity and will support wages. Beach said his research indicated regulatory freezes or reductions could boost GDP and lower inflation, and he recommended fiscal restraint on deficits to help the Federal Reserve fight inflation.

Members on both sides cited data and occasionally disputed interpretations. Several Democrats noted the potential human costs of federal cuts; Republicans emphasized that lower regulatory burden and tax certainty would increase private sector investment and job creation. The committee did not vote on the budget or any related amendments during the hearing; members used the hearing record to enter oversight letters and to ask for additional written materials.

Ending

The hearing offered a forum for competing policy prescriptions to address wages, inflation and workforce shortages. Members signaled further oversight and legislative work on regulation, tax policy, wages and programs that support working families, but made no immediate policy changes or committee votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Unleashing America's Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy","oneSentenceSummary","Committee members used the March 12 hearing to argue competing views of recent job gains and to debate whether a House budget blueprint that includes large tax cuts should be funded by steep cuts to Medicaid, SNAP and other programs that support working families.","taxTitle","Education and Labor: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1979,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6308488,"House panel probes mass firings at agencies and questions Elon Musk access to Labor Department systems",8302,1328000,9630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a&start=1328&end=9630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a/thumbnail_1328000.jpg","/articles/6308488/House-panel-probes-mass-firings-at-agencies-and-questions-Elon-Musk-access-to-Labor-Department-systems","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308488-94477e7eb32a9ee26a0614f8daa1f792/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078476&Signature=TGCiaSLZIxFmwx64GsXy9X3FeMevicgC8aGXSRFlA2Mg~5U-gakCPE9NFhxwMdEPBDzoq8pxU06KLylk6GSqWA7xKid1VxRqm9vSYy-5B32oc7UiKiucRPHrJSsdlBIE9m0ujw-s5oIbHYrHY1jJDapd8xafw9EkK7TuBDP8q6HzPJPq9eiKL1cjXf42uXIoNnxTtczcyFSOW~mO3RRR7c~~MqitkHP9Vjh27c39EsCOMI~yUJMpjLX1fvi2x5-iFfuHFC7RdcE~O2kXZssTzl-URCz09f0joujiVdblWqVngl5cU~F7kZwihdEs4B3PjX-~wP~Y6z9D0iqYg8Umgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Education and Labor Committee spent a portion of its March 12, 2025, hearing examining a wave of recent personnel actions at federal agencies and probing whether private contractors tied to Elon Musk have been given access to sensitive Department of Labor (DOL) systems.

Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D‑Va.) told the committee that the new administration \"illegally fired\" inspectors general and other officials and said he had asked whether contractor access includes \"files on investigations that include the name of confidential witnesses or whistleblowers,\" but had not received answers. Scott added that he and his staff had asked the chair to join oversight efforts to require answers about what a contractor code‑named in committee remarks as \"Doge\" has accessed and why. \"We're now hearing about abrupt firings of public servants … this is outrageous,\" Scott said.

Dr. Heidi Scheerholz, president of the Economic Policy Institute, told members the firings and contractor access risks are already damaging agency capacity and public trust. \"The chaos and attacks on federal workers will deeply harm the Labor Department's ability to attract and retain top talent,\" Scheerholz said, adding that reduced staffing and disruptions slow policy development, weaken enforcement, and \"ultimately just hurts their ability to serve America's workers.\" She warned that confidential DOL records include medical and financial information used in benefits and claims, and files on OSHA complaints that workers submit on the promise of confidentiality.

Multiple members across the aisle and the majority likewise raised national security and continuity concerns. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D‑Ore.) described constituent anxiety about potential contractor access to personally identifying information — Social Security numbers, addresses, and case files — and asked whether the committee should seek direct answers from the contractor. Chairman Shermann Wahlberg (R‑chair) agreed to keep the hearing record open for 14 days to allow additional written material and oversight letters to be entered.

Lawmakers and witnesses emphasized the practical impacts of staffing cuts: delayed enforcement, slower inspections, and weakened oversight that can advantage employers who flout rules. Scheerholz said the federal workforce is already small — \"less than 2% of all payroll employees\" — and that further indiscriminate terminations will erode services the public relies on, from food safety to mine safety enforcement.

Several Democrats entered oversight letters into the record and asked unanimous consent to include additional documents the committee had already requested. Without objection, the material was added to the hearing record.

Committee members of both parties signaled they will continue oversight activity. Ranking Member Scott requested that the committee seek detailed answers about what systems the contractor accessed and whether access included files on active investigations or sensitive statistical information; he said his staff would coordinate with the chair's staff to press for responses.

Ending

Committee members flagged a short window for follow‑up: the hearing record remains open for 14 days for supplementary statements and evidence. Several lawmakers asked for specific responses from agency leadership and from the contractor about the extent of access and for documentation of removal processes when officials were dismissed. The committee indicated intent to pursue additional oversight materials and follow‑up hearings if responses remain incomplete.","The House Education and Labor Committee spent part of its March 12 hearing examining recent personnel actions at federal agencies and probing whether private contractors tied to Elon Musk have access to sensitive Labor Department systems.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6308478,"Small‑business witnesses urge tax certainty, H‑2B expansion and apprenticeships to address worker shortages",2538,2432000,4970000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a&start=2432&end=4970","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a/thumbnail_2432000.jpg","/articles/6308478/Smallbusiness-witnesses-urge-tax-certainty-H2B-expansion-and-apprenticeships-to-address-worker-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308478-648edcf4b9a726b6f20f2add251fb327/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078476&Signature=cybvQ8O2ny4KaNIhAePYVivKgVHQrRGB-ZpVYLtDVI~4WBU3-FYzgrGbpNhA7WkPcU-wCt6IcM9WVcEsdU9Bp~oKQmxLbGT7KBl6LyDHYguYMH8QKuQzapHdx9Jt0qic4PNmoNjH-0sRPZgYpUyJjuXL4ZYhoH3prbthOa32DWjjjKgFBRSyGQSUdfG8T9edc819-9ZrGm~PEmEAGbdi81~iSJEB1ccZcGYxZIkWsxYW8FRDRJUHloQKEzE-JPexFkvjQxfOaOhukWlHZ~2NpfpxNkhQA-QMhebgWzyefJTGe0PELeY0888t7wAw6D2BfPB5lBMAU149T144tIBrsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Small‑business advocates and hotel industry leaders told the House Education and Labor Committee that tax certainty, guest‑worker access and workforce training are top priorities to address persistent hiring shortages.

Elizabeth Mileto, executive director of the National Federation of Independent Business Small Business Legal Center, said NFIB members reported a surge in optimism following the November election but still face \"historic inflation, a burdensome regulatory environment, and systemic workforce shortages.\" She said the 20% small‑business deduction in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 remains critical: \"There are over 30,000,000 small businesses that are depending on this Congress to pass the Main Street Tax Certainty Act and make sure that small business 20% small business deduction is made permanent.\"

Rosanna Maietta of AHLA told members that hotels have raised wages \"15% faster than the national average\" and expanded benefits and apprenticeship programs, but still struggle to fill positions: \"At the height of the crisis, America's hotels lost more than 680,000 workers. Now, we are down nearly 200,000 employees.\" Maietta urged Congress to preserve key TCJA provisions (bonus depreciation, small business deduction, like‑kind exchange) and to support legal guest worker programs, including H‑2B seasonal workers, which she described as essential for seasonal resorts that require large seasonal staffing surges.

NFIB and other witnesses cited an industry estimate that federal regulatory costs added roughly $1,800,000,000,000 in compliance costs between 2021 and 2024; Mileto said those costs fall disproportionately on small businesses that lack compliance staffs. Witnesses proposed steps: make the small business deduction permanent, enable portable benefits, ease barriers to apprenticeships and expand H‑2B access for seasonal employers.

Ending

Witnesses urged committee members to craft legislation that preserves the small business tax deduction, supports apprenticeships and clarifies classification tests to preserve contractor flexibility while enabling portable benefits and training that help retention and promote upward mobility in the hospitality sector.","Small‑business and hotel industry witnesses told the Education and Labor Committee that extending parts of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, expanding H‑2B guest worker access and supporting apprenticeships are central to easing hiring pressures and improving retention.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6308483,"Committee hearing turns to regulation: joint‑employer, independent‑contractor, overtime threshold and proposed OSHA heat standard",2582,1769000,4351000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a&start=1769&end=4351","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2422170-0a6ca0766753cf5fffb1b226fe59a74a/thumbnail_1769000.jpg","/articles/6308483/Committee-hearing-turns-to-regulation-jointemployer-independentcontractor-overtime-threshold-and-proposed-OSHA-heat-standard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6308483-4acd9a5ec87628e340d8e5df9f331ac6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078476&Signature=Qi8ph3pF2Kb3f-YCq0xoO8vy-DKHWka2SOB8bRaxwaBRa4jit5vM1rtDKrjWlOFhEYbai3n4mBO5MlU4oWpcuiAvag1hpQHxIAZS~ACnKIVhLLfUes7JbMtwv3SaTf0dBieF2OTB3PaMzgE6mTD1MZTH5EfhEjr6~5CCIoSZ1Snp6VDHf8DpHASjk1Qa0AaNHDHRD9FnHaqKQadSDIT7aoGYtEy6s6zm8ILk1nKwBVHjiqGk-rdpAr2W~s8M4VQzkYNF8ka8zVP88xzMYPwY8dlHE5Jz1jUzISa4LOznZh3JKTU3L2vm4Rz61GqNVAlGQfMVnlheuGMgjjPFZ96tag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a full committee hearing March 12, witnesses and members detailed competing views on whether recent federal rules and proposed rules have constrained hiring, reduced entrepreneurship, or protected worker safety.

Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), told the panel that the hotel industry remains \"down nearly 200,000 employees\" since the pandemic and urged Congress to restore the \"traditional standard\" for joint‑employer liability. Maietta said the industry supports passage of the Save Local Business Act to codify a narrower joint‑employer standard and protect franchise entrepreneurship. \"Clarity and certainty is needed in business,\" she said, adding that half of the nation’s roughly 64,000 hotels are franchised and franchises provide a pathway to ownership.

Witnesses and members also debated classification of independent contractors. Several Republican members and small‑business witnesses argued that the Biden administration’s independent‑contractor rule threatened flexibility for freelancers and start‑up entrepreneurs; witnesses described the Trump era regulatory approach as more permissive for contractors. Dr. William Beach, a senior fellow in economics at the Economic Policy Innovation Center and former Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, said decisions about regulation and tax policy both influence investment and productivity and urged careful targeting of rules that raise compliance costs.

A recurring point in testimony and questions was OSHA’s proposed heat injury and illness prevention standard. NFIB's Elizabeth Mileto and other small‑business witnesses said they oppose a federal standard they consider overly burdensome, arguing many employers already have programs and that a one‑size‑fits‑all federal standard would be hard for small employers to implement. Dr. Heidi Scheerholz said she supported strong public protections and warned that rolling back worker safety protections would increase injuries and deaths, arguing the agency’s enforcement is essential to protect workers.

Committee members sought specifics from witnesses on how the rules affected costs and hiring. Maietta cited AHLA figures describing wage gains but continued difficulty filling frontline roles and urged expansion of legal guest worker programs (H‑2B) for seasonal needs. Several members, including Rep. Owens and Rep. Allen, pressed witnesses on how apprenticeship programs and portable benefits could expand pathways into middle‑class careers.

Ending

The committee left with no formal votes on regulatory changes. Members signaled legislative interest in codifying classification tests, reconsidering OSHA scope, and supporting apprenticeships; several said they will pursue bills and oversight items in the coming weeks.","Witnesses and members debated whether recent federal rules on joint‑employer, independent contractor classification, overtime salary threshold and a proposed OSHA heat injury rule hamper hiring and small businesses or protect workers — a core ideological divide at the March 12 hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Partisan dispute over job gains, inflation and House budget resolution's effects on workers

House panel probes mass firings at agencies and questions Elon Musk access to Labor Department systems

Small‑business witnesses urge tax certainty, H‑2B expansion and apprenticeships to address worker shortages

Committee hearing turns to regulation: joint‑employer, independent‑contractor, overtime threshold and proposed OSHA heat standard