Columbus, OH — Today, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters issued the following statement calling on Republican lawmakers to finally drop HB 435, a GOP-led measure that will put Ohioans’ health and safety at risk, and focus on the issues that matter to Ohio voters instead. The GOP bill would prevent Ohio businesses and organizations from taking critical steps to keep their employees safe amidst the latest surge of COVID-19, and has stalled several times in Committee, taking valuable time away from the issues that matter most to Ohioans.

“It’s far past time for Republicans to stop playing political games with a pandemic. Instead of focusing on critical issues that matter, like fixing gerrymandered state maps or taking action to stop Ohioans from bearing the cost of the GOP’s $60 million bribery scheme, Republicans are wasting time discussing a bill that puts Ohioans and businesses at risk. This bill is dangerous and going nowhere, it’s time to move on,” said Chair Walters.