From the Arkansas News Bureau:

WASHINGTON -- Two U.S. congressmen on Tuesday introduced legislation that would prevent the U.S. Department of Labor from giving companies like Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., advance notice before investigating labor infractions.

The bill came a day after the Labor Department inspector general's office released a report concluding that the Bentonville-based retailer received "significant concessions" as part of a settlement agreement it signed in January with the department after being cited for child-labor violations.

The legislation was introduced by Democratic Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and George Miller of California. Miller requested the inspector general investigation into the settlement in February.

"The settlement with the Department of Labor put the interest of one of the nation's worst labor violators ahead of the interests of American workers," DeLauro said.

"The Department of Labor's sweetheart deal with Wal-Mart gives the company the ability to sweep complaints about labor-law violations under the rug," Miller said in a statement.

DeLauro and Miller's bill would ban the department from forming agreements that provide notice to employers of upcoming investigations or inspections.