On September 2, the House Education & the Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing on how to relieve burdensome and unnecessary regulations. Subcommittee Chair Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) described the purpose of the hearing as identification of ways to cut red tape and establish a “reasonable regulatory environment that supports growth and prosperity.”

Rep. Mackenzie said, ““In the last year and a half, Republicans in Congress have worked quickly to remove barriers that hinder economic growth and stifle private sector employment. By cutting taxes for every American, and by removing unnecessary mandates that raise costs and limit opportunity, we are empowering workers and small businesses to thrive.

“As a result of these commonsense policies, employers are becoming more optimistic about the American economy. In its July 2026 monthly Small Business Economic Trends Report, the National Federation of Independent Business reported that its Small Business Optimism Index is at 99.8—higher than its average rating during the previous administration. When asked to evaluate the overall health of their businesses, 69 percent of employers responded that it was either excellent or good.

“Now, it’s time to build on this work by continuing to eliminate unnecessary obstacles for the men and women who take risks and invest in our communities. Small businesses should be spending their time growing, hiring, and innovating—not navigating unnecessary federal red tape. Regulatory uncertainty and higher compliance costs ultimately make it harder for employers to create opportunities for themselves and their workers.

“The American people are counting on us to ensure federal regulations are grounded in common sense—safeguarding important environmental and safety standards while minimizing the slowdowns caused by the federal bureaucracy. By doing this, we make it easier for small businesses, workers, and communities to achieve and thrive.”

Witnesses from Americans for Prosperity, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the AFL-CIO, and the American Action Forum echoed Chairman Mackenzie’s remarks, although the union witness emphasized making sure that regulations prioritize worker protections. One witness cited worker classification rules that need to be simplified to break down barriers to work. Others commented on job safety rules and burdensome recordkeeping requirements.

Prospects: Deregulation is a priority for most Congressional Republicans, but the jam-packed agenda, both for the rest of September and the lame duck session that will begin after the elections in November, means it is unlikely that there will be any legislative action that will make it into enacted law before year-end. But House Republicans believe that highlighting this issue in the hearing will give Republican candidates (for both House and Senate) a compelling message for the campaigns ahead of the elections.

NAIFA Staff Contacts: Diane Boyle – Senior Vice President – Government Relations, at dboyle@naifa.org; Mike Hedge – Senior Director – Government Relations, at mhedge@naifa.org; or Jayne Fitzgerald – Director – Government Relations, at jfitzgerald@naifa.org