Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3089: More Paid Leave for More Americans Act

This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states create or improve paid family leave programs that provide at least 6 weeks of paid leave for new parents (for birth or adoption). States with existing programs can apply for grants to fund implementation, improve access for low-income workers, and coordinate with other states through a new Interstate Paid Leave Action Network. The grants can be used for program design, technology, outreach, and administrative costs, with states required to meet specific benefit standards including income-based calculations (higher percentages for lower-income workers). The bill aims to increase access to paid family leave for workers across states by standardizing and coordinating state programs through the new interstate network.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds state paid family leave programs providing 6+ weeks leave for new parents, expanding worker benefits and access for low-income workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 8, 2025

S 2210: Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act

This bill changes how federal law determines if an independent worker (like a freelancer or gig worker) is classified as an employee. It prevents employers from using portable benefits (such as health insurance or retirement plans maintained without ongoing work) as a factor in that determination. Specifically, it prohibits considering whether a worker has access to benefits common to full-time employees, receives employer contributions to benefits, or contributes to benefits. As a result, independent workers who currently lack employee status for benefits may become eligible for protections like minimum wage, overtime, and unemployment insurance under federal law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors to deny employee benefits, advancing access to workplace protections and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Unemployment

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in committee · United States · House Mar 25, 2025

HR 2174: Paycheck Protection Act

HR 2174, the Paycheck Protection Act, prohibits federal agencies and the U.S. Postal Service from deducting labor organization dues, fees, or political contributions from employee paychecks. This bill directly affects federal employees and postal workers by ensuring these amounts are no longer withheld from their earnings. The key provision amends existing laws (Title 5 U.S.C. § 7115 and Title 39 U.S.C. § 1205) to explicitly ban such deductions. It does not change existing tax treatment of union dues or affect private-sector workers.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits mandatory deductions of union dues from federal workers' pay, protecting their right to control paycheck allocations per labor rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 22, 2025

S 189: CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025

The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund training programs for residential construction careers at rural community colleges and similar institutions. It prioritizes serving rural communities and underserved populations - including low-income individuals, veterans, and groups with historically low construction industry employment - through competitive grants. Grantees must create or expand training in specific trades (like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work), form partnerships with construction businesses to ensure fair wages, and offer flexible scheduling and job placement support. The program authorizes $20 million annually from 2025 to 2029 to increase skilled construction workers and support affordable housing development.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds vocational training at community colleges, expanding educational access for underserved groups including low-income individuals and veterans.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds construction workforce training for residential development, enabling housing supply growth in underserved areas. Prioritizes low-income/veteran populations, supporting housing development capacity.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds construction trade training for underserved workers, advancing employment opportunities in skilled labor sectors through competitive grants.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly prioritizes veterans as a target population for construction training grants, directly advancing veteran employment opportunities through federal funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Affordable Housing Property Development Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 3626: Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026

This bill increases base pay for Federal correctional officers by 35% above their current General Schedule or law enforcement officer rates, replacing their existing base pay for all compensation purposes. It directly affects Bureau of Prisons correctional officers whose duties involve inmate custody, control, or routine direct contact in custodial settings, including certain supervisory roles. The pay increase is capped at the rate for Executive Schedule Level V (for officers) or Level IV (for Federal Wage System employees), and expires after five years unless the Department of Justice Inspector General certifies progress in reducing non-custodial staff "augmentation" and excessive overtime. The law requires a review 180 days before expiration to assess staffing changes and impacts on recruitment, retention, and safety.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases pay for correctional officers, directly funding and strengthening Bureau of Prisons workforce - a key component of corrections within criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases base pay for correctional officers by 35%, advancing wage protections for federal workers in custodial roles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HR 4740: No Tax on Overtime for All Workers Act

This bill creates a federal tax deduction for certain overtime pay, making it non-taxable for eligible workers. It directly affects employees who earn overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or as specified in binding collective bargaining agreements, specifically pay exceeding 40 hours per workweek at 1.5x their regular rate. The key provision amends tax law to exclude this defined "qualified overtime compensation" from taxable income, removing federal income tax liability for those specific overtime earnings. The change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by making overtime pay non-taxable for eligible workers, directly reducing tax burden for middle/lower income earners under FLSA.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExcludes overtime pay from taxable income, increasing take-home pay for eligible workers under FLSA, directly advancing wage benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2025

HR 4095: Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025

HR 4095, the Railroad Yardmaster Protection Act of 2025, extends existing duty hour limits for train employees to specifically include yardmasters. The bill amends federal law to define "yardmaster employee" as someone who supervises and coordinates train movements within rail yards, and adds this role to the rules limiting consecutive work hours. It directly affects rail yard supervisors by requiring the same duty hour restrictions that currently apply to train operators. The key change is formally incorporating yardmasters into the existing regulatory framework without altering the specific hour limits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends duty hour limits to yardmasters, protecting them from excessive work hours and improving workplace safety standards for rail supervisors.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExtends duty hour limits to rail yardmasters, enhancing rail safety by preventing fatigue-related incidents in transportation operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety Rail

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in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HR 6139: Union Members Right to Know Act

This bill requires labor unions to provide members with key documents related to union operations and collective bargaining agreements. Specifically, unions must share copies of their contracts with employers (or post them online) within 18 months of enactment, and provide members with the union's constitution, bylaws, and a summary of the law itself - either by mail/email or via a website hyperlink. New members must receive these materials within 30 days of joining, while all members get annual updates. The law applies to all unions with employer contracts and mandates annual compliance reports to the Department of Labor.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires unions to disclose contracts and operations to members, enhancing transparency in collective bargaining and member rights within Labor & Employment framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 2312: Tipped Employee Protection Act

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to change how tipped employees' wages are calculated. It removes the previous requirement that tipped workers must "customarily and regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips" to qualify for the lower cash wage rate. Instead, it requires that the combined cash wage plus tips must equal or exceed the standard federal minimum wage for the pay period chosen by the employer (ranging from daily to monthly). The bill directly affects restaurant servers, bartenders, and other tipped workers who receive cash wages plus tips. It simplifies wage calculations for employers while ensuring tipped employees earn at least the full minimum wage when tips are included.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures tipped workers' total compensation (cash wage + tips) meets federal minimum wage, strengthening wage protections for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 1, 2025

S 2963: Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025

This bill requires federal agencies to adjust contract prices for contractors affected by government funding lapses (like shutdowns), ensuring contractors can cover costs for employees who were furloughed, laid off, or had reduced hours. It mandates that contractors receive reimbursement for paying employees at their standard rate during the lapse or restoring paid leave used instead of work. The reimbursement is capped at $1,442 per week (pro-rated for part-time workers), and contractors must provide proof of costs to the agency. Agencies must report to Congress within a year on how many contractor employees were impacted and how compensation was handled.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates reimbursement to contractors for maintaining employee pay during funding lapses, directly protecting workers' income continuity during government shutdowns.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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