Republicans Take Aim at Worker Rules, Democrats Push Labor Bills

Debate over joint employer and independent contractor regulation took center stage during Republican questioning in a Senate hearing Wednesday, foreshadowing the regulatory fight ahead as Democrats seek changes to labor policy.

Finalized versions of both the National Labor Relations Board’s proposal to ease the legal standard for deciding when one company jointly employs another firm’s workers and the US Labor Department’s proposed rule that would make it harder for businesses to qualify workers as independent contractors are expected later this year, according to the Biden administration’s regulatory agenda.

Republicans were critical of both regulations during the hearing, claiming changes to ...