FRELINGHUYSEN HAILS HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE SAVE AMERICAN WORKERS ACT;

URGES SWIFT SENATE PASSAGE

WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) hailed the passage last week in the House of Representatives of H.R. 2575, the Save American Workers (SAW) Act and urged the Senate to act quickly to pass it.  Frelinghuysen is an original co-sponsor of the bill.

“My vote today for the Save American Workers Act demonstrates my commitment to protect  the jobs of American workers by repealing the ‘30-hour rule,’ a job-killing provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA),” Frelinghuysen declared.  “The ’30-hour rule,’ is already driving employers to cut workers’ hours to avoid the costs that will be imposed by ACA’s employer mandate.  When the mandate goes into effect next year, affected employers will be required to provide health insurance to any employee working 30 or more hours a week.” 

“According to research conducted by the Hoover Institution, the 30-hour rule puts millions of workers with a median income of less than $30,000 at risk of losing their jobs,” Frelinghuysen said.  “Those most in danger of losing their jobs are people who will have the hardest time finding a new one – workers without college degrees.” 

“I have heard from many small business owners in my District who have already seen the cost of their employee health care insurance coverage skyrocket,” Frelinghuysen continued.  “As a result, many are wrestling with a tough decision.  Because they are unable to absorb the huge increases in cost, they must choose between lay-offs or reducing their employee’s hours below 30 hours a week.”

“According to a recent survey of small business executives by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than seven out of ten small businesses say they will either cut the hours of full-time employees or replace full-time workers with part-time workers,” Frelinghuysen said.  “These results reflect exactly what my constituents have been telling me.”

“I hope the Senate will consider this bill as soon as possible,” Frelinghuysen concluded.  “When it comes to saving the jobs of American workers, there is no time for delay.”

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