Posts by Jenny Harris

This Week in Congress With the May 10th deadline looming, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s reauthorization topped the Senate’s agenda this week. A short-term extension was considered as several members raised concerns about fast-tracking the bill if their amendments were not considered.  Rep. Lawler’s antisemitism bill is headed for the Senate, where it will face…

The FAA Reauthorization Senate leaders have told Senators that they do not intend to allow votes on any nongermane amendments to the bill, but Sens. Hawley (R-IN) and Vance (R-OH) have threatened to hold up an agreement to provide for quick consideration of the bill if leadership does not allow votes on their amendments. Hawley’s…

Generic Drug Shortage Senate Finance leaders unveiled draft legislation intended to ease the generic drug shortages. The draft introduced by Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Crapo (R-ID) would create a voluntary program within Medicare to change the way health care providers buy generic drugs. Its goal is to get providers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) to…

Easing Restrictions on Cannabis On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, the U.S. Justice Department announced plans to recommend easing restrictions on marijuana, kicking off a lengthy rule-making process that would represent a major change in federal policy. The proposal, which still must be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OBM), would recognize the medical…

Warehouse Worker Protection Act Members of Congress introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act, which includes several OSHA provisions. The Coalition for Workplace Safety (CWS) sent a letter to Congress urging them to reject the bill. The bill mandates that OSHA issue two new rulemakings. One would regulate ergonomics in warehouse distribution centers, a previous effort by OSHA…

This Week in Congress Congress returned this week after a brief recess with the House limiting their legislative activity to allow members to attend the late Rep. Payne (D-NJ)’s funeral on Thursday.  Prior to adjournment, the House voted on legislation including Rep. Lawler (R-NY)’s Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023, which would instruct the Department of…

ASA Supports Repealing the Corporate Transparency Act ASA, along with 98 organizations, sent a letter to Sen. Tuberville (R-AL) and Davidson (R-OH) in strong support of their legislation to repeal the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) entitled the Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act. Per their letter, “the CTA was designed to help law enforcement prevent money…

Changed Overtime Rule for Salaried Employees The U.S. Department of Labor announced on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the release of a final rule raising the minimum annual salary threshold for overtime pay eligibility.  This primarily applies to executive, administrative, and professional employees, commonly referred to as the “White Collar Overtime Exemptions.” The Fair Labor Standards…

FTC Announces Rule Banning Non-Competes On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted 3-2 along party lines to approve its new rule on non-competes. The new rule, which will take effect in 120 days, essentially bans non-competes for all workers, finding them “an unfair method of competition – and therefore a violation…

EEOC’s Rule on Implementation of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) On Friday, April 19, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published its final rule and related interpretive guidance to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which President Biden signed into law on December 29, 2022.  The PWFA amended Title VII of the…