SARATOGA, N.Y., - Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik's Modern Worker Empowerment Act and the Modern Worker Security Act successfully passed out of the Education and Workforce Committee. The Chairwoman first introduced this legislation in 2019 and has championed efforts to help the American worker through her role on the Committee.
“Millions of Americans choose to be independent contractors to have more control of their schedule with increased flexibility. Despite this, the Biden administration decided to turn its back on these workers by proposing a flawed new rule eliminating this work classification, taking away opportunities from hardworking American workers,” said Chairwoman Stefanik.
“I am proud to champion legislation that allows the American worker to choose how they want to classify their work and provide clarity and consistency for creators with clear 'employee' definitions across federal law.”
The Modern Worker Empowerment Act aims to update the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act, establishing a clear definition and standard across federal laws to protect independent workers.
The Modern Worker Security, a companion to the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, clarifies that offering portable benefits cannot be used as an excuse to reclassify independent contractors as employees under federal law.
These two bills seek to empower independent contractors, provide flexibility, and enable opportunities for the American worker to expand into new work opportunities often more than what traditional employment allows.
Read the legislation HERE and HERE.
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