Last week, Fox Business accompanied U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer on a tour of the Walls Alligator Farm in Springfield, Louisiana. The visit highlighted Republican-led policies that aim to support workers and their families.
Senator Cassidy spoke about new legislation he has introduced to help independent workers access workplace benefits such as health care and retirement plans. This legislative effort is designed to build on President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which Republicans say is part of a broader agenda supporting workers, families, and patients.
“Independent workers, like the ones at the Walls Alligator Farm, keep Louisiana’s unique economy moving,” said Dr. Cassidy. “That’s why I voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill and that’s why I’m trying to pass pro-worker legislation to increase workers’ access to benefits like health care and retirement.”
During the visit, Cassidy and Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured production facilities at Walls Alligator Farm—a fourth-generation business that has grown from one of Louisiana's smallest alligator farms into one of the largest globally. They also took airboats out into marshes to view alligator nests.
According to supporters, President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is intended to boost Louisiana’s economy by helping family-owned businesses hire and retain independent workers. Barry Wall from Walls Alligator Farm discussed with Fox Business how eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime through this bill could benefit his employees.
“This bill, I think it’s really going to help us – our workers,” said Wall. “If our guys bring more money home, you know what? Number one, they are happier to come to work, but two, it helps us keep them.”
Fox Business also covered Senator Cassidy's proposed changes to federal labor laws that would create a safe harbor for companies wishing to provide voluntary benefits for independent contractors.
Jordan Pedeaux, an independent worker at Walls Alligator Farm who supports Cassidy's bill stated: “Being able to have both would be ideal, to be able to do my project-based work, work on my own schedule, but also have the benefit of those benefits from the company, be able to provide that to me," said Pedeaux.
The full segment aired on Fox News’ America’s Newsroom.
For further information or updates from HELP Republicans visit their official website or Twitter account @GOPHELP.
