Saturday, February 04, 2012

Besides insider trading, Congress exempt from several federal laws

While Congress is moving to explicitly apply insider trading laws to its members, lawmakers are exempt from provisions of other federal laws.

In 1995, the House and Senate passed the Congressional Accountability Act, which did apply many civil rights, labor and workplace safety statutes to the legislative branch.

Congress is still exempt from:

—The Freedom of Information Act.

—Investigatory subpoenas to obtain information for safety and health probes.

—Protections against retaliation for whistleblowers.

—Having to post notices of worker rights in offices.

—Prosecution for retaliating against employees who report safety

and health hazards.

—Having to train employees about workplace rights and legal remedies.

—Record-keeping requirements for workplace injuries and illnesses.


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