This bill directs the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to complete an investigation within 180 days regarding the use of forced labor in cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The resulting report must include a strategy to enforce existing U.S. laws that ban the importation of goods produced by forced labor, with specific measures to trace supply chains and prevent such materials from entering the market through third countries. The investigation is required to identify entities potentially involved in these practices and recommend tools for customs officials to detect prohibited cobalt. This mandate remains in effect for eight years or until the President determines that forced labor in the Congolese mining industry has ended.
The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish a new standard for overtime pay, requiring employers to pay time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond thirty-two hours per week. The bill also introduces daily overtime rules that mandate premium pay for workdays exceeding eight or twelve hours. To allow businesses to adjust, the law phases in the weekly overtime threshold over four years, starting at thirty-eight hours and decreasing by two hours each year until it reaches thirty-two. Employers are prohibited from reducing an employee's total compensation or benefits as a result of these new coverage requirements.
The PRO-WORK Act would prohibit employers from receiving federal funds during any period they lock out their employees, as well as for an additional period equal in length to the lockout or one year if a prior lockout occurred. Additionally, the bill denies tax credits to corporations that engage in employee lockouts, with the penalty becoming more severe if the company has locked out workers before within the same tax year. These restrictions would take effect on January 1, 2026, and require employers who violate the funding ban to reimburse the federal government for any improperly used money.
The Better Pay for American Workers Act would raise the federal minimum wage to $15.00 per hour starting in 2027, increasing it to $17.50 in 2028 and $20.00 in 2029. Beginning in 2030, the law requires the Department of Labor to adjust the wage annually based on changes in the median hourly wage for all employees. This mechanism ensures that the minimum wage grows with overall wage trends, while always remaining at least as high as the previous year's rate.
The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act establishes a new National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force composed of representatives from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Office of Personnel Management. The task force is charged with coordinating these agencies to close gaps in enforcement and improve public education regarding equal pay laws. Its specific duties include investigating challenges related to pay inequity, advancing recommendations to address those issues, and creating action plans to implement the proposed solutions.
The American Mariner Tax Fairness Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow U.S. merchant mariners working on qualifying vessels in foreign trade to treat their earnings as foreign earned income for tax purposes. This change directly affects U.S. citizens or residents who are actively employed on large, U.S.-flagged ships of at least 6,000 deadweight tons used exclusively in international commerce. To qualify, a mariner must work at least 90 full days during any 12-consecutive-month period while the vessel is engaged in U.S. foreign trade. The bill effectively grants these workers the same tax exclusion benefits currently available to individuals working abroad, applying to taxable years beginning after the law's enactment.
The Federal Worker Protection Act aims to prevent federal agencies from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to chill whistleblowing by requiring all such contracts to include a prominent notice of employees' rights to report wrongdoing to oversight bodies like Congress and Inspectors General. The bill mandates that the Office of Special Counsel pre-approve NDA templates and establishes a private right of action allowing employees to sue for damages if they face retaliation based on protected disclosures. Additionally, it grants Inspectors General the authority to block non-compliant NDAs and provides them with specific protections against removal for issuing negative certifications regarding agency practices.
HR 10250, known as the No Preference Act, prohibits federal executive agencies and the Department of Defense from requiring or giving preference to contractors based on their use of union labor. The bill amends existing laws to ensure that government contract awards cannot be influenced by whether a company's workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements. This change directly affects federal procurement processes by mandating that offers be evaluated without regard to the labor status of the bidding firms.
The GREEN Hospitals Act authorizes $100 billion in Hill-Burton grants for hospitals and other medical facilities to upgrade their infrastructure for climate resilience and emissions reduction. It also establishes a separate $5 billion Planning and Evaluation Grant Program that provides up to $500,000 per project to help states, tribes, and nonprofits develop sustainability plans before construction begins. To receive funding, applicants must demonstrate labor protections, including collective bargaining agreements or non-interference policies, and certify they do not impose training repayment debts on employees. The bill prioritizes projects in environmental justice communities and those serving high numbers of Medicare and Medicaid patients, requiring that at least half of the planning grant funds be directed to these areas.
This House resolution expresses support for designating the week of August 25 through August 31, 2026, as "Black Breastfeeding Week" to raise awareness about racial disparities in maternal and infant health. The bill highlights data showing that Black mothers face higher barriers to breastfeeding and experience significantly higher infant mortality rates compared to White mothers. It calls on Congress to support policies that provide affordable healthcare, paid parental leave, and safe workplace accommodations for nursing mothers. Additionally, the resolution urges lawmakers to address broader systemic issues such as housing, transportation, and economic opportunity to improve health outcomes in Black communities.
