Congress Battles Labor Dept. Over Workplace Toxin Rules

We've been following a Department of Labor proposed rule (PDF) that would make it harder to pass regulations for workplace toxins and chemicals. As the Washington Post reported, the rule did not go through the normal process: It was not publicly disclosed and was drafted by a "political deputy in Labor's office of the assistant secretary for policy."

In response to the Post’s story, Democrat lawmakers demanded more information about the so-called "secret" rule. Last night Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and other House Democrats introduced legislation to block the proposed measure.

Here is the Department of Labor’s initial response (PDF) in which they deny the proposal was "secret" and also ask for more time to respond.

It looks like the department might give a more detailed reponse tomorrow to the House Education and Labor Committee. We’ll try to get their response and let you know what it says.

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