Political Quotes

“It is important for Congress to do whatever it can to encourage businesses to hire these teenagers for summer jobs. Not only do jobs help keep teenagers out of trouble, but jobs give them important work experience and habits. In the past the administration has fought for policies to promote summer jobs for teenagers, and I applaud them for their efforts to get the message out about the importance of summer jobs. But by the same token, I am dismayed over conflicting regulatory policies that can actually discourage businesses from hiring young people. Here is one classic example. Back in 1954, the Department of Labor promulgated a regulation called Hazardous Occupation Order 12, or H.O. 12, which prohibits teenagers from operating cardboard baler machines. That is okay to have H.O. 12, but that was in 1954. Today that same regulation is imposed when teenagers are asked to simply toss a box into a baler which is not even operating. I am sure that in 1954 this regulation was necessary to protect the health and safety of youngsters. However, technology over the past 40 years has brought significant safety improvements.”