Alexander: House Passes Bipartisan Legislation that “Restores the Path to the American Dream” for Owners of 780,000 Franchise Businesses

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 7, 2017 – Senate labor committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today said the House passage – by a vote of 242 to 181 – of the bipartisan Save Local Business Act “restores the path to the American dream” for owners of 780,000 franchise businesses.

“Today’s House passage of the Save Local Business Act is good news for the owners of this country’s 780,000 franchise businesses -- health clubs, barber shops, neighborhood restaurants -- who saw their path to the American dream threatened by the Obama National Labor Relations Board’s damaging and unreasonable definition of a ‘joint employer,’” Alexander said. “I’m glad Republicans and Democrats in the House have acted to restore four decades of labor precedent and basic common sense, and I look forward to the Senate acting as soon as possible on behalf of every man and woman in this country who wants to realize the American dream of owning a small business.”

Last month, the Senate labor committee approved the nomination of Republican Peter Robb to be National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) General Counsel, readying his nomination for consideration by the full Senate. Earlier this year, the Senate confirmed the nominations of Republicans Marvin Kaplan and William Emanuel to serve on the NLRB, which Alexander said “will help restore the board to its intended purpose of acting as a neutral umpire after years of playing the role of advocate.” 

###