Over the last several weeks, the Buzz has been monitoring congressional Democrats’ efforts to pass the Build Back Better Act, a $1.7 trillion social-spending package containing, among other things, proposals for a federal paid-leave program and brand-new, increased civil penalties for employer violations of various federal labor laws. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the bill on November 19, 2021. Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate were trying to pass their version of the legislation before leaving for the Christmas break next week, but it now looks increasingly unlikely that a vote on the bill will occur before then. There is an expression in Washington, D.C.: if you have the votes, you vote. It appears that the Democrats do not yet have the votes they need to pass the bill—and they will need all 50 Democrats and Independents in the Senate to support the package. At the moment, chances are we will be monitoring the progress of the Build Back Better legislation in 2022.
Last week, the Buzz wondered aloud when the administration would release the fall 2021 regulatory agenda. Just hours after the Buzz was released, the administration did just that. Below are some of the highlights of what the regulated community can expect in the coming months (as a reminder, the dates are aspirational in nature).
Wage and Hour Division
Overtime. By...
By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet As part of an intensified campaign against the spread of falsehoods that continue to undermine the integrity of the government and pose a threat to national security, PCO...