Labor & Employment across the country

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 5, 2026

S 5263: Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act

The Workforce Recovery and Resilience Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct federal resources toward communities significantly affected by high rates of substance use disorders. It requires the Secretary of Labor to annually update and distribute evidence-based practices to states and local areas for addressing the economic impacts of these disorders. Additionally, the bill creates a new category of national dislocated worker grants that can be awarded to entities providing employment and training related to addiction treatment, mental health care, and pain management in areas where demand exceeds local resources. Eligible recipients for this assistance include dislocated workers, long-term unemployed individuals, those underemployed due to widespread substance use, and healthcare professionals involved in these treatment fields.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill directs federal resources to workforce recovery, creates grants for dislocated workers, and mandates evidence-based practices to address economic impacts on workers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

Sponsor David McCormick (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5296: Pathways to Health Careers Act

The Pathways to Health Careers Act establishes a federal grant program effective October 1, 2026, to train low-income individuals for careers in health professions such as nursing, emergency medical services, and allied health fields. The legislation allocates $435 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to fund these initiatives, with specific requirements ensuring that at least two grants are awarded in each state and the District of Columbia, along with dedicated funding for tribal entities and U.S. territories. Key provisions mandate that grant recipients provide comprehensive support services, including adult basic education, childcare, transportation assistance, and cash stipends, while also requiring rigorous evaluations of demonstration projects focused on individuals with criminal records and maternal health career pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationThe bill establishes a federal grant program to fund training for health careers, directly expanding educational access and workforce development opportunities.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareThe bill allocates $435 million annually to fund training for health professions, directly strengthening the healthcare workforce and supporting medical professionals.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill funds training for low-income individuals to enter health careers, directly expanding employment opportunities and workforce development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce Women's Health

Sponsor Martin Heinrich (D) · 7 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 13, 2026

HR 10085: Lifelong Learning Act

The Lifelong Learning Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to increase the percentage of federal funds that states must reserve for incumbent worker training and transitional jobs programs. It requires states to report on the performance outcomes of these specific training initiatives, which will then be used to adjust performance targets for other adult and dislocated worker programs. Additionally, the bill expands flexibility by allowing local boards to serve as one-stop operators if they enter into written agreements with local officials and adhere to strict conflict-of-interest controls.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill increases federal funding for incumbent worker training and transitional jobs, directly strengthening workforce development and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

Sponsor Donald G. Davis (D) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5301: Voice for Farm Workers Act

The Voice for Farm Workers Act expands the role of the Farmworker Coordinator within the Department of Agriculture to better support agricultural employees and rural communities. The bill authorizes the Coordinator to hire necessary staff and extend their term of service through 2031. Key provisions require the Coordinator to assess the effectiveness of federal outreach programs, coordinate services across various USDA agencies, and publicize information about available benefits for farmworkers. Additionally, the legislation directs the Coordinator to identify research priorities focused on workforce stability and economic resilience while recommending new initiatives to the Secretary of Agriculture.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill expands the role of the Farmworker Coordinator to better support agricultural employees, coordinate services, and publicize benefits, directly advancing worker protections.92% confidence

Sponsor Alex Padilla (D) · 7 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10035: Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Protecting Independent Contractors from Discrimination Act of 2026, aims to extend federal anti-discrimination protections to individuals who work under independent contracts. It directly affects independent contractors by legally classifying them as employees under several major federal laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The key mechanism involves amending the definitions of "employee" or "applicant for employment" within these existing statutes to explicitly include independent contractors. Consequently, independent contractors would gain the same legal recourse against discrimination based on race, age, disability, genetic information, and other protected categories as traditional employees.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill extends anti-discrimination protections to independent contractors, strengthening worker rights and workplace safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Gig Economy

Sponsor Eleanor Holmes Norton (D)

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 3, 2026

HR 10030: Supporting Our Educators Act of 2026

The Supporting Our Educators Act of 2026 increases the tax deduction limit for unreimbursed classroom expenses for elementary and secondary school teachers from $250 to $600. This change directly affects teachers who pay for school-related costs out of pocket, allowing them to deduct a larger portion of these expenses from their taxable income. The provision becomes effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2025, and includes updates to the Internal Revenue Code to reflect the new dollar amount and applicable years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax deduction limits for teachers, providing tax relief and financial support to educators.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases tax deductions for teachers' unreimbursed expenses, directly supporting educators and strengthening their financial benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases tax deduction limits for teachers' unreimbursed expenses, effectively increasing their net compensation and supporting educator financial well-being.75% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

Sponsor Michael Lawler (R)

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 9995: Restoring Justice for Workers Act

The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from forcing workers to agree to arbitration for workplace disputes and bans agreements that prevent employees from joining together to seek legal relief. Under this bill, any contract requiring arbitration before a dispute arises would be invalid, while agreements made after a dispute occurs must be truly voluntary, require plain language explanations, include a 45-day waiting period, and receive explicit written consent from the worker. The legislation also makes it illegal to retaliate against employees who refuse to sign arbitration clauses and ensures that courts, rather than arbitrators, decide whether these arbitration agreements are valid. Additionally, the act amends the National Labor Relations Act to explicitly forbid employers from interfering with employees' rights to engage in collective actions regarding their work. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by banning forced arbitration and strengthening collective action, directly advancing labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Sponsor Jerrold Nadler (D) · 7 co-sponsors

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5055: National Workforce Transition Fund Act of 2026

This bill creates a temporary National Workforce Transition Fund to help workers and employers manage labor market changes caused by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. The fund is financed by exempting AI data centers from certain tax depreciation limits, with the resulting revenue transferred to the Treasury and then allocated to the fund over five years. A new National Workforce Transition Board will oversee the program, developing strategies to assess workforce impacts and directing resources toward training, job placement, and employer retention initiatives. The legislation prioritizes support for workers facing employment disruption without requiring them to prove that technology was the sole cause of their job loss, while also funding improvements to labor market data systems. All provisions related to the fund and workforce activities are set to expire five years after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new fund financed by tax adjustments to support workforce transition, advancing fiscal management for emerging tech impacts.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a fund to help workers manage AI-driven labor market changes, protecting employment stability.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates a fund to help workers manage labor market changes caused by AI and emerging technologies, indicating support for responsible technology integration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development Artificial Intelligence

Sponsor Mark R. Warner (D)

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5188: Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026

The Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act of 2026 aims to improve safety and professional opportunities for boxers by modifying the existing Professional Boxing Safety Act of 1996. It creates a new category for "unified boxing organizations," which are private leagues or associations that manage title belts and rankings, allowing them to operate under a specific alternative compliance system. Under this system, these organizations must provide enhanced medical care, including additional ambulances and ringside physicians, and require more rigorous physical exams for older boxers. The bill also mandates minimum payments of $200 per round, limits contract lengths to six years, and establishes a comprehensive anti-doping program with random testing. Furthermore, the legislation prohibits unified boxing organizations from having financial interests in the management of the boxers they promote and requires strict rules against insider betting.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates enhanced medical care and ambulances for boxers, directly strengthening healthcare access and safety.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances workplace safety and medical care for boxers, protecting worker rights and improving employment conditions.85% confidence

Sponsor Ted Cruz (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10062: Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act

This bill, known as the Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act, aims to expand and better fund national service programs in the United States. It directly affects individuals participating in these programs by mandating a permanent increase in their living allowance to 200 percent of the federal poverty line, adjusted annually for inflation. Additionally, the legislation appropriates funds to create at least 500,000 new national service positions by fiscal year 2027 and updates the cost-per-member calculation for these roles. These changes are designed to make service positions more accessible and financially viable for participants while increasing the overall capacity of the national service workforce.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds to create 500,000 new national service positions and increases living allowances, directly advancing government spending and funding for public services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates 500,000 new jobs and increases living allowances for participants, directly advancing employment and worker benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Sponsor Eleanor Holmes Norton (D)

Track