Crapo Joins Cassidy and Risch to Introduce Legislation Protecting American Workers from Harmful Biden Heat Standards

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana) introduced the Heat Workforce Standards Act to protect American workers from dangerous Biden-era heat standards that threaten jobs and create new safety risks. The bill comes on the heels of a letter sent by Crapo and 15 Republican Senators raising concerns about the proposed rule.

"The Biden Administration's proposed heat rule is overly prescriptive and lacks consideration for differences among industries and varying climates," said Crapo. "Federal law already requires businesses to implement safety measures to protect workers from heat hazards. If implemented, this rule will only result in compliance hardships for small business and could increase risks to worker safety."

"One-size-fits-all federal heating standards prevent small businesses and farmers from appropriately protecting the people they employ," said Risch. "The Heat Workforce Standards Act will stop the implementation of a disastrous rule that ignores vastly different workplace and regional conditions, and returns the ability to set heat standards back to state and local leaders."

"Protecting Louisiana workers is my top priority. The Democrats' proposal puts workers at risk and threatens their livelihoods," said Dr. Cassidy. "Any effort on worker safety should provide needed clarity and flexibility to ensure Louisianans can earn a paycheck in a safe working environment."

U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) are co-sponsors of the bill.

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 for small businesses, forcing them to eliminate jobs for hardworking Idahoans and Americans.

Specifically, the Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 would prohibit the finalization, implementation or enforcement of the Biden-era proposed heat rule. The Republican legislation reflects current federal law that protects workers while giving clarity to workers and employers.

This bill is supported by Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, 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, 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, the and the Window and Door Manufacturers Association.

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