U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn (TN-7) detailed expected actions in the next Congress she predicted will provide small business much-needed relief. The discussion took place Dec. 20 at Old Natchez Country Club with 25 engaged NFIB members and friends.
“We left town early on Dec. 8 to preserve the days,” she said, noting the Congressional Review Act allows Congress to conduct an expedited legislative review of new federal regulations issued by government agencies and to overrule them by passage of a joint resolution. Congress is given 60 legislative days to disapprove.
She said the “overtime rule” that has caused great turmoil for employers and employees alike is one they would like to “yank out by the roots.” She also noted:
- Healthcare repeal will be phased out to give time to “phase in a new healthcare marketplace.” She said people will not have coverage removed, and the new system will be “patient-centric, not government-centric.” She said purchasing health insurance across state lines and litigation reform will be revisited.
- Medicaid block granting likely will be coming to the states: “I think [state Rep.] Charles Sargent [of Franklin] and Tennessee can do a better job than folks of Washington.”
- Cuts for the individual, corporate and capital gains rates will be on the table, along with across-the-board departmental spending cuts.
- Significant regulatory reforms are on the way, mentioning the REINS Act as one tool Congress should enact and use. She said the Clean Power Plan rule must be removed from the books and that the “War on Coal will come to an end.”
Blackburn said easing the regulatory burdens on small business will be a top priority.
“OSHA overreach has been unbelievable,” she said.
