ABC is encouraging all members to call on their Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor and support the “Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act” (S. 2015/ H.R. 3459). This important legislation will help provide additional stability for contractors, subcontractors and their employees by restoring the 30 year old “joint employer” standard, encouraging local business ownership and employee opportunity.

The ABC-supported legislation was introduced Sept. 9 by U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.). It currently has 48 co-sponsors in the U.S. Senate and 91 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Today, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Committee completed a markup of H.R. 3459. Several amendments were offered by Democrats, but all were ruled not germane by the Chairman. The bill was passed out of committee in a 21-15 vote and was reported to the House of Representatives, where it awaits a vote on the House floor.

Ahead of the markup, ABC sent a letter to Chairman Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) and Ranking Member Rep. Bobby Scott (R-Va.) thanking them for acting on this important bill, which seeks to restore the “joint employer” standard used to determine whether two separate companies are considered one employer with respect to a group of employees for purposes of liability and bargaining obligations under the National Labor Relations Act. The definition was altered Aug. 27 by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in its controversial Browning-Ferris Industries decision.

In its letter, ABC expressed support for H.R. 3459 because it would “help keep in place a successful business model and protect the ability of hard working Americans to achieve the American dream of owning their own business.”

Members can voice their support for the Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act to their representatives in Congress through the ABC Action Center or through the ABC Action App on both iPhone and Android devices.