FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 29, 2026
Contact:
Madison Hardy
Janessa Tolman
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and six Republican colleagues introduced the Heat Workforce Standards Act to protect workers from dangerous Biden-era heat standards that threaten jobs and create new safety risks.
“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 Cassidy. “Any effort on worker safety should provide needed clarity and flexibility to ensure Louisianans can earn a paycheck in a safe working environment.”
Risch and Cassidy are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), John Cornyn (R-Texas).
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 would create additional safety risks on job sites that extend beyond heat-related injuries while making compliance nearly impossible for employers and workers. The rule would also raise costs on small businesses, forcing them to eliminate jobs.
This bill is supported by the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Restaurant Association, National Association of Manufacturers, International Franchise Association, Independent Electrical Contractors, National Marine Manufacturers Association, AICC, The Independent Packaging Association, Alliance for Chemical Distribution, American Bakers Association, American Building Materials Alliance, American Craft Spirits Association, American Lighting Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association, American Supply Association, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, Brick Industry Association, Distribution Contractors Association, Family Business Coalition, Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association, Gases and Welding Distributors Association, Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International, Mason Contractors Association of America, NACS, National Electrical Contractors Association, National Energy & Fuels Institute, National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National RV Dealers Association, North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, Petroleum Equipment Institute, Plastics Pipe Institute, Power & Communication Contractors Association, PRINTING United Alliance, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance, Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association, and Window and Door Manufacturers Association.
About Jim Risch
Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in the United States Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and sits on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Risch previously served as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senator. For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
