WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., has cosponsored a bill that would amend Obamacare’s definition of a full-time workweek from 30 hours to 40 hours. The legislation was introduced by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and has bipartisan support.

“Obamacare has caused many businesses to cut hours for employees or stop hiring altogether,” Wicker said. “Many Americans depend on hourly wage jobs to support their families, and being forced to work fewer hours means less pay. These men and women deserve the opportunity to work without fear that government bureaucracy will threaten their full-time employment.

“This promising legislation could be the first step toward dismantling Obamacare in the new Republican-controlled Congress. However, I am disappointed that despite his promise to work with the new Congress chosen by the American people, President Obama has said he would veto the bill if passed. I remain committed to providing relief from this harmful law for every Mississippian.”

The President’s health-care law requires all businesses with more than 50 full-time equivalents to provide health insurance to their employees or pay a fine. This bill would change the mandate’s unrealistic and arbitrary definition of a full-time employee to the more traditional definition of an employee who works 40 hours per week.

Wicker has cosponsored more than 20 pieces of legislation that repeal or alter Obamacare, including legislation to repeal the employer mandate for all businesses.

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