The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee advanced House Resolution 6213, which seeks to prohibit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from adopting the federal indoor and outdoor heat protection standards proposed in 2024, as well as any substantially similar rule.

OSHA's proposed standard would establish nationwide requirements for employers to implement heat illness prevention programs, including providing water and rest breaks, developing acclimatization plans for new employees, and adopting procedures to recognize and respond to heat-related illnesses.

Supporters of the bill argue the proposal would impose a "one-size-fits-all" federal standard on employers and contend that states already have the authority to establish workplace heat safety requirements tailored to their jurisdictions.

Opponents counter that the legislation would permanently prevent OSHA from establishing a national baseline for workplace heat protections. They note the bill contains no sunset provision or mechanism for future reconsideration if heat-related workplace injuries continue to rise, arguing that it would eliminate the Department of Labor's ability to implement minimum heat safety standards for workers in states without existing protections.

Blocking a federal heat standard would preserve state flexibility but leave employers and carriers to comply with varying state requirements, while workers in states that have not adopted heat-specific protections could remain at greater risk of heat-related injuries and illnesses.