Americans are thankful.
President Donald Trump and House Republicans are moving to roll back another major regulation left over from the Biden administration, this time targeting a controversial federal heat-safety rule that critics say would burden small businesses and expand government control over the workplace.
Republican lawmakers and business advocates argue the rule, developed under former President Joe Biden, would impose costly and unnecessary requirements on employers across the country—particularly small businesses already struggling with inflation, labor shortages, and rising operating costs.
GOP Pushes Back on Biden-Era OSHA Rule
Rep. Mark Messmer (R-Ind.) recently introduced the Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025, legislation aimed at repealing the Biden administration’s proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) heat rule.
The bill has quickly gained support from more than 20 House Republicans along with several national business organizations, according to a November 20 statement from Messmer’s office.
Messmer, a small business owner himself, warned that excessive federal regulation often does more harm than good.
“As a small business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how heavy-handed regulations raise costs, reduce productivity, and stifle innovation,” Messmer said. “The Biden heat rule was not about safety—it was about expanding federal bureaucratic power over working Americans.”
What the Biden Heat Rule Would Require
OSHA introduced the proposed rule in July 2024 during the Biden-Harris administration. Known as Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings, the regulation would obligate employers to implement certain measures when employees face temperatures of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 15 minutes within an hour.
At the time, then-Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su defended the regulation as a necessary worker protection.
“Every worker should return home safe and healthy at the end of the day,” Su said, calling the rule a response to rising temperatures nationwide.
Small Businesses Warn of One-Size-Fits-All Mandate
Opponents argue the regulation ignores regional differences, workplace realities, and existing safety measures already in place at many companies. Critics also say the rule could lead to fines, lawsuits, and compliance costs—especially for family-owned businesses.
Business groups further warn that the regulation would override state authority and replace local decision-making with federal mandates.
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has strongly opposed the proposal. Dylan Rosnick, NFIB’s principal for federal government relations, said the rule would dramatically increase federal oversight while offering little practical benefit.
“Small businesses overwhelmingly oppose the Biden administration’s OSHA heat standard,” Rosnick said. “It creates unworkable, one-size-fits-all mandates and significantly expands federal control over private businesses.”
Rosnick added that many employers already implement heat safety measures voluntarily, without federal interference.
“Instead of recognizing those efforts, this rule would punish responsible small businesses with more red tape and regulatory burdens,” he said.
What Happens Next
OSHA has extended the public comment period on the proposed rule through January 14, 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
With President Trump and congressional Republicans now working to unwind Biden-era regulations, the OSHA heat rule is shaping up to be another key battleground in the broader debate over federal overreach, workplace regulation, and the future of small businesses in America.