by Michael Barnsback, DiMuroGinsberg, P.C.
Republicans picked up three U.S. House of Representatives seats in Virginia, defeating Democratic incumbents in the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Districts. The Eleventh District race in northern Virginia between incumbent Democrat Gerry Connolly and Republican Keith Fimian was too close to call at the time of publication, but Connolly held a 500-vote lead.
As a result of the shift in power in the House, it will be highly unlikely that Congress will pass any new employment-related initiatives. Over the next two years, however, nothing is going to stop the Obama administration’s emphasis on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforcement. Government contractors in Virginia also can expect an increase in Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) audits, and other employers throughout the state can expect more wage and hour audits from the DOL.
Michael Barnsbackis editor of Virginia Employment Law Letter and a partner with DiMuroGinsberg, P.C., in Alexandria. He can be reached at (703) 684-4333.