July 2021 Government Affairs Update
President Biden Announces Agreement on Infrastructure Framework
President Biden and a bipartisan group of senators recently announced they had reached a tentative agreement on an infrastructure proposal totaling $1.2 trillion over 8 years. The proposal includes $579 billion in new spending which would be focused on traditional infrastructure projects and would not include any tax increases on individuals or businesses. A summary of the bipartisan framework can be found here.
It is important to note that no legislative text has been drafted to date and it is unclear whether this proposal will have the support of the rest of the Senate and House. President Biden and congressional Democrats are hoping to take a two-track approach to infrastructure which would include a bipartisan bill on traditional infrastructure projects along with a Democratic-only budget reconciliation bill which would include investments for certain education, welfare and environmental initiatives that are not currently supported by Republicans. The Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold does not apply to any budget reconciliation bill.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and other Republicans have expressed concerns about the Democrats’ desire to link the two bills together which could threaten the prospect for future bipartisan agreement in both chambers of Congress. BSCAI will be sure to keep members updated on the latest development as it pertains to infrastructure and taxes.
Protecting Workers from Exposure to Extreme Heat
As temperatures rise across the country, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is providing employers with resources to keep their workers safe during the summer months. Under OSHA law, employers are responsible for providing workplaces free of known safety hazards which includes protecting workers from extreme heat.
OSHA recommends that employers establish a heat illness prevention program and take the following steps to protect workers who are exposed to high temperatures:
- Provide workers with water, rest and shade.
- Allow new or returning workers to gradually increase workloads and take more frequent breaks as they acclimatize, or build a tolerance for working in the heat.
- Plan for emergencies and train workers on prevention.
- Monitor workers for signs of illness.
OSHA's Occupational Exposure to Heat page explains what employers can do to keep workers safe and what workers need to know - including factors for heat illness, adapting to working in indoor and outdoor heat, protecting workers, recognizing symptoms, and first aid training. The page also provides resources for specific industries and details OSHA workplace standards. Below you will find a complete list of OSHA’s heat illness prevention resources.
OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Resources:
- Planning and Supervision
- Heat-Related Illness and First Aid
- Prevention
- Personal Risk Factors
- OSHA Standards and Employer Responsibilities
- Workplace Pamphlets and Posters
- Additional Resources
SBA Announces Business Leader Briefing with Department of Commerce
The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced a special business leader briefing with Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves that will cover the Biden administration’s infrastructure proposals. The Deputy Secretary will provide an update on Infrastructure, the American Jobs Plan and what it means for America's small businesses. He will also take and answer some questions.
The webinar will take place on Tuesday, July 27th at 3:00 p.m. ET. Small business owners can register here.