Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6213

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-06-30T08:05:50Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025" (H.R. 6213) aims to prevent the U.S. Department of Labor from adopting or applying a proposed rule designed to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses in workplaces. This bill seeks to block federal enforcement of such safety measures, maintaining the status quo on workplace heat protections.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition on Action: The Secretary of Labor is explicitly barred from finalizing (making official), implementing (putting into practice), or enforcing the proposed standard titled "Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings," which was published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA—a federal agency responsible for workplace safety) in the Federal Register on August 30, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 70698).
• Scope of Ban: The prohibition extends to any standard that is "substantially similar" to the proposed one, ensuring broad coverage against related regulations.
• Short Title: The bill is formally named the "Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This legislation would introduce a direct statutory block on a specific OSHA rulemaking process, overriding the agency's authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (which generally allows OSHA to create safety standards).
• It prevents the evolution of current workplace safety rules by halting new requirements for heat protections, such as potential mandates for water breaks, shaded areas, or training in high-heat environments, which are not uniformly required under existing federal law.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: OSHA and the Department of Labor would lose the ability to enforce heat-specific standards, potentially shifting responsibility to state-level regulations or voluntary employer practices. This could reduce federal oversight and resource allocation for heat-related inspections.
• On Citizens (Workers): Employees in industries like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing—especially those working outdoors or in hot indoor settings—might face higher risks of heat stroke, dehydration, or other illnesses without new federal safeguards. Vulnerable groups, such as low-wage or outdoor laborers, could be disproportionately affected.
• On Employers: Businesses would avoid compliance costs associated with the proposed rule (e.g., monitoring temperatures or providing cooling measures), potentially easing operational burdens but increasing liability for heat-related incidents under general negligence laws.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts are evident, as the bill focuses on domestic workplace regulations.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Workers and Labor Unions: Primary beneficiaries of the blocked standard, including millions in heat-exposed jobs; unions may advocate for alternative protections.
• Employers and Industry Groups: Such as farming, construction, and manufacturing sectors, who could gain from reduced regulatory requirements.
• Federal Agencies: OSHA and the Department of Labor, whose regulatory authority would be curtailed.
• State Governments: May need to fill gaps with their own heat safety laws, affecting consistency across the U.S.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The bill asserts congressional oversight over executive branch rulemaking, potentially setting a precedent for blocking specific agency actions via legislation. If enacted, it could face challenges under administrative law, as courts might review whether it unduly interferes with OSHA's statutory duties to ensure safe workplaces.
• Constitutional Implications: Raises questions about the balance of powers between Congress (legislative branch) and the executive branch's regulatory authority, aligning with debates on federalism (division of power between national and state governments).
• Political Implications: Introduced by a group of Republican representatives, the bill reflects partisan divides on regulation—favoring deregulation to support business interests—while critics might argue it prioritizes economic concerns over public health amid rising climate-related heat risks. It was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for further review.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Messmer, Mark B. [R-IN-8]

Cosponsors (57)

Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11], Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5], Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9], Rep. Harris, Andy [R-MD-1], Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5], Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6], Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3], Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Fedorchak, Julie [R-ND-At Large], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2], Rep. Gooden, Lance [R-TX-5], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Westerman, Bruce [R-AR-4], Rep. Clyde, Andrew S. [R-GA-9], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4], Rep. Fine, Randy [R-FL-6], Rep. DesJarlais, Scott [R-TN-4], Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Yakym, Rudy [R-IN-2], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25], Rep. Dunn, Neal P. [R-FL-2], Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9], Rep. Patronis, Jimmy [R-FL-1], Del. Moylan, James C. [R-GU-At Large], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Fulcher, Russ [R-ID-1], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Crank, Jeff [R-CO-5] and 7 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-20: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025 — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (2 pages)