On the recordNovember 7, 2017
I thank the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott) for yielding me this time, and I thank him for his leadership on behalf of the America workers. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my strong opposition to H.R. 3441. Because of the modern use of temporary staffing agencies and subcontractors, the National Labor Relations Board has properly defined the term ``joint employer'' as two or more businesses who codetermine or share control over a worker's terms of employment, such as rate of pay or work schedule. If enacted, H.R. 3441 would cripple workers' rights to collectively bargain or seek redress when workers are found to have joint employers. The opportunity to collectively bargain over wages and conditions of employment is diminished if some parties that control employment are given the option to refuse to bargain and avoid liability as employers. As a result, this bill will open the door to widespread wage theft and equal-pay violations, and it will harm workers across the United States. Some of my Republicans continue to argue that H.R. 3441 will provide stability for workers. As a former union president and as a labor attorney dealing with issues before the National Labor Relations Board, I urge my colleagues to stand with the American worker and oppose this disastrous bill.
