David Obey: “I rise in opposition. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] is allocated 15 minutes for debate. The…”

“I rise in opposition. The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Obey] is allocated 15 minutes for debate. The gentleman from Texas [Mr. DeLay] is recognized for 15 minutes. {time} 1915 Mr. DeLAY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, frankly, I am somewhat disappointed that I have to offer this amendment today. But because OSHA is so intent on flouting the will of this Congress in an effort to add to its own regulatory enforcement empire, I must do so. My amendment rescinds an addition $3.5 million from the OSHA rescission already contained in this bill. This would force OSHA to cease its activities on the promulgation of an ergonomics standard that is paternalistic in concept and a menace in its implementation. Ergonomics is a fledgling science devoted to redesigning workplaces to better fit workers. By focusing on work spaces and stations, tools and equipment, lighting, typewriter keys and telephones, ergonomics as a practice affects virtually every aspect of American Businesses, both large and small. There is no consensus in the scientific community over risks or remedies of implementing or failing to implement ergonomic policies. There is certainly no consensus that a Federal ergonomics standard can actually have any positive impact on work place health or safety.…”