House Republicans are pressing their inquiry into the biting incidents involving President Joe Biden‘s dog Commander after Secret Service employees reportedly got nipped dozens of times.
On Monday, the House Education and the Workforce Committee sent a new letter to acting Labor Secretary Julie Su requesting information about workplace safety protocols at the White House.
Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) said she wants to know what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is doing to enforce the standards.
“Recently, news reports say the number of known dog-bite incidents involving the President’s dog Commander and Secret Service employees has risen to 24,” Foxx wrote.
She added the panel “stresses that it is still concerned about the occupational safety and health program for all employees working at the White House and the Executive Office of the President (EOP).”
Foxx has written two other letters to Su, in October and November, as biting incidents involving Commander kept making headlines until the first family gave the German Shepard to family members.
In fact, Biden had been dogged by negative pet stories for years. He had another German Shepard named Major who also got in trouble for biting. Major was also removed from the White House and ultimately left with family friends.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) “requires the head of every federal agency to maintain an occupational safety and health program consistent with OSHA standards,” Foxx noted.
In response to the November letter, the Labor Department claimed not to be “aware of any forms or reports from the White House submitted pursuant to the OSH Act,” Foxx said.
The chairwoman said it “seems that the EOP failed to provide this information to DOL.”
Foxx also noted OSHA chief Douglas Parker’s response to a question for the record (QFR) “suggests that OSHA’s answer covers only agencies which OSHA ‘historically contacts’ for injury and illness data.”
“This qualification suggests that, despite the dictates of the OSH Act, OSHA is picking and choosing which agencies it scrutinizes and requires to submit data,” Foxx said.
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“The Committee has an interest in ensuring that the White House is providing the same protections to its workforce that it demands of the private sector,” the chairwoman added. “Furthermore, the Committee has an interest in ensuring that DOL has accurate data on the EOP and the White House.”
Foxx requested various documents and information, including copies of claims submitted to DOL’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs for EOP employees since January 20, 2021.
She asked, “Why did Park omit the EOP in the QFR response … when it appears the EOP did not comply with the requirements of the OSH Act?”
The chairwoman also queried, “If the White House has not submitted the appropriate forms to DOL to remain in compliance with the OSH Act, what does DOL intend to do to ensure that the EOP is aware of and complies with the OSH Act’s requirements?”
The Daily Wire reached out to DOL seeking comment. A spokesman said the agency received the newest letter and is reviewing it.