[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE 
                           AUTHORIZATION ACT

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                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the lifeblood of the 
American economy, employing nearly 60 percent of America's work force. 
Small businesses, Mr. Speaker, constitute 98 percent of all businesses 
in America.
  Yesterday, Congress took a major step toward ensuring that small 
businesses continue to thrive in America by passing H.R. 2864, the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration Compliance Assistance 
Authorization Act.
  Mr. Speaker, small businesses in America are committed to health and 
safety in the workplace. Yet all too often, the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration (OSHA) has abandoned the concept of promoting 
workplace safety and instead concentrated its efforts on levying the 
most penalties and fines to as many businesses as possible.
  Attacking our nation's small businesses not only hurts our economy 
and costs jobs, it does little to promote a healthier, safer work 
environment for America's workforce. H.R. 2864 reestablishes the 
partnership between small businesses and government and ensures that 
both can work cooperatively toward improving conditions in the 
workplace.
  Mr. Speaker, well meaning business owners want to work with 
regulatory agencies, not simply fear them. I commend my colleagues for 
passing this legislation and protecting America's small businesses.

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