Providing for Congressional Disapproval Under the Rule Submitted By the National Labor Relations Board Relating to ``Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status''

Floor Speech

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Mr. JAMES. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of my resolution, H.J. Res. 98, to provide for congressional disapproval of the NLRB's recent joint employer rule.

I first thank the esteemed Member from North Carolina, Chairwoman Foxx, and her staff for working with me and my staff to get this joint resolution to the floor and, hopefully, through to the Senate.

I have been here for about a year, and it is readily apparent to me that too many people in this town are making rules that they will never live by in an area where they have never had to survive in the business world. Additionally, too many of my colleagues seem to be convinced that small business is the enemy and Big Government is here to save them.

Plainly put, this joint employer rule is part of the Biden administration's antifreedom, antigrowth, and antibusiness agenda that is gutting the American Dream.

Madam Speaker, the American people don't want Washington telling them how to start or manage a business in this country.

Don't take it from me. Franchise owners in my district have conveyed to me that they are choosing retirement over dealing with this harmful policy. They want the chance to create a better life for their families and their employees' families and not be controlled by out-of-control bureaucrats at the NLRB.

We already have the right to collectively bargain in this country, but this rule goes too far. This is the most glaring evidence yet that capitalism and choice are threats to this administration's socialist America last agenda.

When this regulation was enacted under the Obama administration, it cost franchise businesses $33.3 billion per year. According to the International Franchise Association, around 26 percent of franchises are owned by people of color compared with 17 percent of independent businesses generally.

Madam Speaker, I fear this harmful rule will lead to job losses, increases in the cost of living, and for Americans already suffering, fewer American Dreams being realized, as well.

It burns me up when I hear politicians talk about creating jobs. Politicians can't create jobs, but they sure can kill them. That is what this regulation does.

Bureaucrats don't create jobs; businesses create jobs. Republicans aim to make policy that will not only result in more jobs but more job creators.

These job creators, these entrepreneurs, these franchisees, and these independent contractors create good-paying jobs and give people opportunities to succeed. Overturning this joint employer rule is just the first step in the right direction.

I am the walking result of the American Dream. My father started our family business with one truck, one trailer, and no excuses. He worked 25 hours a day and 8 days a week with my mother by his side. When he handed that business down, my brother and I, with a wonderful team and the grace of God, were helped to grow it to higher heights. We put more effort into it, and that is the story of how this Nation grows and becomes more successful. Nonetheless, we can't allow this story to end.

Madam Speaker, I implore my colleagues to remember that small business on Main Street in their districts when they cast their vote today because the small business on Main Street will certainly remember them in November.

For these reasons and more, Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.J. Res. 98.

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