The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry, today welcomed remarks made by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on the Senate floor criticizing the most recent overreach by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Senator McConnell joined SenatoIf implemented, this recommendation could remove the decision-making power from small business owners, a concern that Senator McConnell raised in a speech this morning.

“The National Labor Relations Board ruling risks unilaterally upsetting the franchise system as we know it,” said Vanessa Sinders, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at AH&LA. “We commend Senator McConnell for recognizing that the ruling could devastate the ability of small businesses to remain competitive, a real concern for the hotel industry, which is largely made up of small franchisees. We are committed to working with other business-minded groups to shine the light on the destructive consequences of this change.”

AH&LA further commends Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) for his leadership in working to reform the NLRB through the NLRB Reform Act.

“We are grateful to Senator Alexander for his steadfast work on this issue, which is critically important to bring attention to these disturbing actions. The rulings and policies of this board significantly affect the American workforce. Reform is needed to ensure that these bureaucrats are accountable to the American people, and are not swayed by the politics of the day,” Sinders continued.

Last week, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Subcommittee held a hearing to explore the consequences of changing the definition of a “joint employer.” At that hearing, hotelier and small business owner Jugruti Panwala testified before the Committee and illustrated how the change to the joint employer standard would disincentivize entrepreneurs like herself from starting businesses and creating jobs. Read more about that Committee hearing here.