Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 24, 2026

S 4174: A bill to provide a premium payment to employees who worked without receiving pay during the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security of 10 percent of the pay the employees should have received during the shutdown.

This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to pay affected employees 10 percent of their regular pay for hours worked without compensation during a government shutdown. It specifically targets unpaid employees who worked during a covered lapse in appropriations beginning on February 14, 2026, and excludes those who received regular pay for their work. The agency heads must make this one-time premium payment within one day after the shutdown ends, calculated based on the number of unpaid hours worked and each employee's hourly basic pay rate.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates premium payment to employees who worked without pay during government shutdown, directly protecting worker compensation rights and addressing unpaid labor.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Mar 27, 2026

HR 8132: Bonneville Power Leadership Recruitment Act

This bill, titled the Bonneville Power Leadership Recruitment Act, adjusts the pay scale for the Administrator and employees of the Bonneville Power Administration to match compensation levels at consumer-owned utilities in the Western Interconnection. It requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct an annual survey of utility compensation and set pay rates accordingly, with considerations for recruitment, retention, and the agency's budget and mission goals. The changes apply to the Administrator's basic pay and to Senior Executive Service employees, aiming to make their total compensation competitive with similar private utility positions in the region.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases compensation for federal employees by matching utility pay scales, strengthening worker benefits and retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 4249: FARM Stability Act

The FARM Stability Act proposes changes to wage requirements for H-2A temporary agricultural workers in the United States. It would require the Secretary of Labor to establish a two-tiered wage system based on skill levels, with higher pay for workers who have formal training or significant experience compared to entry-level workers. The bill also mandates that wages account for housing costs by calculating an hourly adjustment factor based on average fair market rent for four-bedroom units, limited to 30 percent of the base wage rate. These provisions would directly affect employers hiring H-2A workers and the workers themselves by modifying how minimum wages are determined and adjusted annually.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates wages account for housing costs by calculating hourly adjustment factor based on fair market rent, indirectly supporting housing affordability for agricultural workers.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases wages for H-2A workers by establishing a two-tiered wage system based on skill levels and accounting for housing costs, directly advancing worker economic rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags Agriculture

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passed · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HRES 1156: Expressing support for tax policies that support working families.

This resolution expresses support for the Working Families Tax Cuts, a law already enacted in July 2025 that provides various tax benefits to American taxpayers. The bill directly affects individuals and families by recognizing specific provisions that reduce tax liability, including expanded child tax credits, increased standard deductions, and tax relief for tipped workers and overtime pay. Key provisions include making a four-person household earning under $73,000 generally face zero federal income tax, increasing the child tax credit to $2,200 per child, and allowing 529 accounts to cover K-12 and trade school expenses. The resolution also acknowledges tax relief for seniors, auto loan interest deductions for American-made vehicles, and expanded health savings account access. This is a procedural measure that formally acknowledges existing tax policies rather than creating new legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expresses support for tax cuts and relief for working families, including expanded credits and deductions that reduce tax liability for individuals and families.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill supports tax policies benefiting working families, including expanded child tax credits and tax relief for tipped workers and overtime pay, directly aiding workers' financial well-being.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Labor Standards Tags Families

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4143: Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026

This bill would expand the Fair Labor Standards Act to include incarcerated workers, requiring them to receive minimum wage and overtime pay protections. It directly affects individuals working in correctional facilities, whether those facilities are run by public agencies or private contractors. The legislation defines incarcerated workers as people performing work in prisons, including prison industries and work release programs, and clarifies that certain costs like board and lodging or court-imposed fees should not be deducted from their wages. By adding these definitions and protections to the existing law, the bill aims to ensure incarcerated workers are covered under federal labor standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands labor protections for incarcerated workers, promoting rehabilitation and civil rights within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands FLSA protections to incarcerated workers, requiring minimum wage and overtime pay, directly strengthening labor rights and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Human Trafficking Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 4045: Food and Nutrition Delivery Safety Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Food and Nutrition Delivery Safety Act of 2026, directs the USDA to create standards for online and delivery services that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Within 18 months of enactment, federal officials must establish rules covering digital privacy, cybersecurity, fair labor practices including prevailing wages for delivery workers, and food safety during transport. Retail stores and wholesalers participating in the program would be required to report their compliance with these standards, and noncompliance could result in loss of authorization to accept SNAP benefits.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates fair labor practices and prevailing wages for delivery workers, directly supporting labor standards and worker protections.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes cybersecurity and digital privacy standards for SNAP online services, protecting consumer data and enhancing digital safety in food delivery systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Cybersecurity

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4010: 21st Century Worker Act

This bill, titled the 21st Century Worker Act, establishes a new federal framework for classifying service providers as either employees or independent contractors. It creates specific criteria for mandatory employee classification, such as substantial economic relationships where workers are required to work full-time, and mandatory independent contractor status for licensed professionals, business entities, and those with limited economic relationships. For situations that do not fit these categories, the bill allows service providers to elect their own classification through a written agreement signed by both parties. The legislation also updates definitions of employee and employer in major federal laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act, National Labor Relations Act, and Internal Revenue Code, and requires annual reviews of worker classifications to ensure they remain accurate.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill clarifies worker classification to protect service providers from misclassification, strengthening employment standards and worker rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Apr 3, 2026

HR 7938: Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act of 2026

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to create a grant program that provides financial stabilization payments to organizations representing farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers. The funding is specifically intended to support these workers in the event of natural disasters or other emergencies as determined by the Secretary. The program would be administered through the Agricultural Marketing Service and is authorized for up to $50 million. Additionally, the bill requires a report on the program's outcomes to be submitted to congressional committees within four years of enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes grant program to provide financial stabilization payments to farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers during emergencies, directly supporting worker welfare and employment stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · House Mar 12, 2026

HR 7917: Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act

This bill, known as the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, would change federal labor rules to require overtime pay and minimum wage protections for certain babysitters. It specifically targets casual babysitting work that is irregular or intermittent, while excluding trained medical professionals like nurses and home health aides from these changes. The law would also allow babysitters to perform up to 20% of their work time on unrelated household tasks without losing their protected status. These amendments would apply to workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 who provide custodial care for infants or children in private homes.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens worker protections by ensuring overtime and minimum wage coverage for home care workers, directly advancing labor and employment rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · House Mar 30, 2026

HR 8158: Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act

This bill would create a federal paid leave program allowing employees to take up to 96 hours of paid time off each year for reproductive health needs, including menstrual care, endometriosis, fertility treatments, and pregnancy-related procedures. It applies to private employers with at least five employees and certain government workers, requiring employers to grant this leave upon request without requiring employees to find replacements during their absence. The legislation prohibits retaliation against employees who use this leave and establishes enforcement mechanisms through the Department of Labor, including civil penalties for violations. Employers with existing paid leave policies that already cover these reproductive health reasons would not need to provide additional leave under this bill.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes federal paid leave for reproductive health needs, expanding access to healthcare services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates federal paid leave program expanding worker benefits and protecting reproductive health needs for employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Labor Standards Paid Leave

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