Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, HOUSE NEWS—Education and Workforce Committee’s hearing highlights tensions about economy, DOGE, (Feb 27, 2025)
Organizations Mentioned:U.S. House of Representatives
Democrats voiced concerns over DOGE while Republicans’ questions focused on the burden of regulations.
The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Workforce held its first full committee hearing entitled “Unleashing America's Workforce and Strengthening Our Economy” on February 26. Republican committee members pushed for President Trump’s policies while Democrat members noted record job creation under former President Biden and voiced concerns about the federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Testimony was presented from economic experts, including testimony from Heidi Shierholz, an economist and the president of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Economic Policy Institute (EPI), who stated, “…the Trump-Vance administration has inherited unquestionably the strongest economy for an incoming administration in a quarter-century…” She also provided data to support her argument that the Trump-Vance budget plan will hurt the economy.
Regulations. Speaking in opening remarks, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) said, “…the Committee on Education and Workforce will consider legislative proposals to improve the lives of American workers, reduce burdens on small businesses, address critical workforce shortages, and stimulate economic growth... Following the 2024 election, small business optimism surged…just this week Apple announced plans to invest more than $500 billion in the U.S. and hire 20,000 workers…President Trump is already making good on his promise to root out wasteful spending and to stop the job-killing regulatory blitz.” When questioning witnesses, other members focused on the value of deregulation. For example, Rep. Messmer (R-IN) asked Dr. William Beach, Senior Fellow in Economics, Economic Policy Innovation Center, if the burden of regulation, which has grown significantly in the past decades, has reduced economic growth. Dr. Beach said, “It most definitely has.”
DOGE concerns. In his opening remarks, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), noted the successes of the economic policies during Biden-Harris Administration and then pivoted to present concerns about DOGE. “President Trump also allowed unelected billionaire Elon Musk and his DOGE team to invade the Labor Department and apparently access sensitive data…they may have access to our constituents’ personal or private data as well as case files on active criminal and civil investigations—including ones that may relate to Elon Musk’s own companies. I’ve asked if this access includes files on investigations that include the name of confidential witnesses or whistleblowers, whether or not it includes access to sensitive statistical information like job numbers before they become public, access to his competitor’s bids so he’ll know how to bid, and Mr. Chairman, we have not received any answers.”
News: EconomicNews LaborNews FederalRegulations Conferences AgencyNews WhiteHouseNews