Government affairs

Today, Department of Labor (DOL) Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on the agency’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal. While the hearing centered around funding policies and priorities, the administration has paused consideration of the pending heat safety rule, which NALC has actively lobbied in favor of for several years.

The agency's overall budget request reflects a 33 percent decrease from the previous fiscal year's request, a concerning sign for NALC priorities within the agency.

During the hearing, lawmakers questioned the secretary on a broad range of issues, including one of NALC’s top priorities within the agency:  the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) proposed rule to prevent heat-related injuries and illnesses—the first-ever federal safety standard addressing heat hazards.

The rule seeks to protect letter carriers and other workers from the increasing threat of extreme heat, an initiative long supported and actively championed by NALC.

“Heat poses a grave risk to city letter carriers. We deliver mail and packages on our routes all year long, including during the hottest weeks of the summer,” said NALC President Brian Renfroe. “A nationwide heat standard that sets clear requirements for USPS and other employers is the only way to truly mitigate the dangers that heat poses.”

Prior to the hearing, Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) called on the secretary to permanently eliminate the rule, highlighting the president’s directive for a comprehensive review of pending regulations and an executive order instructing federal agencies to repeal existing regulations.

At the hearing, Republican committee members expressed skepticism about the proposed heat rule, describing it as overly broad and burdensome for small businesses. In contrast, Democratic members strongly supported swift and enforceable protections, citing the increasing risks of extreme heat due to climate change. They urged Secretary Chavez-DeRemer to resist industry pressure and move forward with a robust rule to protect workers.

Due to the regulatory review underway with the rule, the secretary was unable to comment on the status or the fate of the rule. The secretary voiced the department’s commitment to worker safety, enforcement of the law, and engagement with stakeholders on both sides of the aisle.

“One of the Department of Labor’s core missions is to make sure that every worker gets home safely. That’s what we should always lead from. And I want to work with you in that technical assistance,” she said.

Recently, President Renfroe testified before the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections and is scheduled to testify before OSHA later this month in support of the proposed heat safety rule.

“Letter carrier safety always comes first,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. “That’s why NALC has been fighting like hell for a national heat safety standard for years and will continue doing everything in our power to ensure this rule is prioritized.”