[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 181 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S5323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Biden Administration

  Now, Mr. President, on another matter, last week, the NLRB released a 
particularly unsavory new installment in the Biden administration's 
mess of overregulation. The NLRB's new rule dramatically expands the 
legal definition of an ``employer-employee relationship,'' turning 
small business owners in a franchise setting into middle managers.
  By one outside estimate, this rule will increase costs for small 
businesses, national franchisors, and consumers, all while decreasing 
the availability of jobs and business ownership possibilities. It would 
subject more of the American economy to the whims of the left's Big 
Labor allies, and it would force national companies to choose between 
offering less support for small business-owning franchisees and 
accepting greater liability for the policies of individual branches.
  It is bad policy whichever way you slice it. Apparently, that is the 
self-described ``most pro-union President in American history'' in 
action.
  Of course, the NLRB is just one example of how President Biden's 
radical nominees have led a campaign to drown the American economy in 
redtape.
  Since the day he took office, the President's war on affordable and 
reliable domestic energy has been driving up costs for working 
families. Last year, President Biden canceled three offshore oil and 
gas lease sales. This year, total U.S. oil production has fallen below 
the Department of Energy's predictions by 1.4 million barrels per day, 
and the administration's shortsightedness has left the Strategic 
Petroleum Reserve at its lowest level in 40 years.
  Blanket bans on developing America's abundant energy reserves have 
already taken their toll on everything from grocery prices to home 
heating costs. But Washington bureaucrats continue to dream up new ways 
to micromanage families' choices on everything from home appliances to 
light bulbs. By one estimate, the Biden administration's energy 
regulations will drive up gas furnace costs by nearly $500 and water 
heater costs by $2,800. New efficiency standards could cost households 
an extra $140 on lighting and another $200 on washing machines.
  And, while working families contend with this administration's maze 
of redtape, the President is giving the architects behind it 
promotions.
  Recently, President Biden designated Laura Daniel-Davis as Acting 
Deputy Secretary of the Interior. As several of my colleagues have 
noted, Ms. Daniel-Davis brings such an extreme record to the job that 
even the Democratic majority here in the Senate couldn't confirm her. 
For example, she has been a key player in the administration's efforts 
to curtail leasing on our Nation's abundant reserves of oil and natural 
gas.
  Almost 3 years ago, President Biden handed the keys to his energy 
policy to the far left, and it shows. Working Americans are already 
struggling to contend with historic inflation and rising crime on the 
President's watch. The last thing they need is more of Washington 
Democrats' redtape.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Arizona.