Labor & Employment

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5280: Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act

The Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act requires employers to provide covered employees with at least one hour of paid annual leave for every 25 hours worked, capped at a maximum of 80 hours per year. Employees may use this leave for any reason without disclosing the specific purpose, and they are permitted to carry over up to 40 unused hours to the following year. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who take this leave or from counting it as an absence under no-fault attendance policies. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Labor, which can investigate complaints and file lawsuits, while employees also have the right to sue in court for damages and attorney’s fees if their rights are violated.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill mandates paid leave, protects workers from retaliation, and expands employment benefits, directly advancing labor rights.98% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5304: Fairness for Farm Workers Act

The Fairness for Farm Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to extend overtime protections to agricultural workers, who are currently largely exempt from these requirements. The bill establishes a phased schedule requiring employers to pay farm workers time-and-a-half for hours worked beyond a threshold that decreases from 55 hours per week in 2027 to the standard 40 hours by 2030. Small farms with 25 or fewer employees are granted an additional three-year grace period, reaching full compliance by 2033. Additionally, the legislation removes several existing exemptions that allow agricultural employers to bypass federal wage and hour standards, ensuring broader coverage for workers in the sector.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentThe bill explicitly extends overtime wage protections to agricultural workers by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act, directly advancing worker rights and employment standards.100% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage Tags Agriculture

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5195: Green New Deal for Public Schools Act

This bill establishes the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, which creates new funding streams to help U.S. public schools, including those run by the Bureau of Indian Education, become environmentally sustainable and resilient to climate change. It directs billions of dollars toward retrofitting existing school buildings to be energy-efficient and zero-carbon, constructing new green schools, and hiring local educators and support staff to improve school environments and community partnerships. The legislation also mandates that a significant portion of funds be used in environmental justice communities to address inequities, while requiring contractors to pay prevailing wages and prioritize hiring from local and historically disadvantaged groups. Additionally, the bill sets up a new office within the Department of Education to coordinate these efforts and ensures that schools can serve as community centers during disasters by upgrading infrastructure for power, water, and internet access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates billions for school infrastructure, energy efficiency, and hiring local educators, directly strengthening public schools.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly funds energy-efficient retrofits and zero-carbon construction for schools, directly advancing renewable energy and efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly funds retrofits for energy efficiency and zero-carbon construction in schools, directly advancing environmental sustainability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill directs billions to hire local educators and support staff, expanding employment opportunities and strengthening the workforce.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Environmental Justice

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5190: Restoring Justice for Workers Act

The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. 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 individual arbitration and ensuring voluntary dispute resolution, strengthening collective bargaining and access to courts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 29, 2026

S 5168: Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act

This bill expands paid family and medical leave benefits for a wide range of federal workers, including those in the Executive Office of the President, the Postal Service, and the District of Columbia courts. It primarily increases the amount of paid leave available for specific events, such as the birth or adoption of a child, by allowing employees to take up to 26 workweeks of leave in total, which includes a separate 12-week portion for other family and medical needs. The legislation also clarifies that leave for adoption can begin before the child is placed with the family to support necessary pre-placement activities. Additionally, it updates the rules for various federal agencies to ensure their leave programs align with these new standards and covers employees who might have previously received different types of paid leave under separate laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands paid family and medical leave, improving access to healthcare services and supporting employee health needs.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands paid family and medical leave benefits for federal workers, directly strengthening worker benefits and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5112: Health Over Wealth Act

The Health Over Wealth Act requires for-profit corporations that own or invest in hospitals, nursing facilities, and other health care providers to submit detailed annual reports to the government regarding their financial status, debt levels, staffing changes, and political spending. To protect public access to care, the bill mandates that hospitals must provide at least 90 days of notice before closing or discontinuing essential services and must submit a mitigation plan to ensure patients and staff are not left without support. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new licensing system for private equity firms investing in health care, gives the government authority to block risky mergers or acquisitions, and changes bankruptcy laws to prioritize the repayment of employee pension liabilities over other debts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency and requires 90-day notice for hospital closures to protect patient access and ensure continuity of care.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates staffing change reporting and 90-day service closure notices, protecting healthcare workers' job security and preventing abrupt layoffs.60% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 17, 2026

S 4817: CHILD Labor Act

The CHILD Labor Act strengthens existing federal protections against child labor by expanding the definition of hazardous work for minors and requiring stricter oversight of companies in supply chains. It mandates that federal contractors and recipients of federal financial assistance ensure no child under 16 is employed and that those aged 16 or 17 are not engaged in dangerous labor, with penalties for violations extending to parent companies that fail to verify their subcontractors' compliance. The legislation also increases fines for child labor offenses, allows the Department of Labor to issue stop-work orders, and establishes new civil damages for victims of these violations. Additionally, the bill requires the government to publish annual reports on work-related injuries and deaths while funding training programs to help identify and prevent child labor abuses.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens child labor protections, expands hazardous work definitions, and mandates strict supply chain oversight to safeguard minors' rights and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4982: Good Jobs for Good Airports Act

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes new federal standards to ensure that workers at small, medium, and large hub airports receive a living wage and adequate health benefits. It defines "covered service workers" to include employees in roles such as baggage handling, passenger assistance, security, ticketing, and concession services, regardless of whether they are directly hired by the airport or work for a contractor. Under the bill, employers must pay these workers at least the higher of the federal Service Contract Act wage rates or applicable state and local minimum wages, and they must provide similar fringe benefits. To enforce these rules, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Transportation will have the authority to investigate violations, issue penalties, and require employers to submit monthly compliance certifications. Additionally, the law allows private individuals to file lawsuits against non-compliant employers and mandates annual reports to Congress on the implementation of these labor standards.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates living wages and health benefits for airport workers, directly advancing labor rights and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

SCONRES 36: A concurrent resolution recognizing the significance of equal pay and the disparity in wages paid to men and to Black women.

This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. The document cites data showing that Black women earn roughly 65 cents for every dollar earned by white men and highlights how this disparity impacts their ability to support families and accumulate wealth. By referencing existing laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, the bill reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay for equal work without proposing new legislation or policy changes. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic challenges faced by Black women due to dual discrimination based on race and gender.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly recognizes the wage gap and reaffirms support for equal pay, directly protecting workers' rights and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 4995: Agricultural Worker Justice Act of 2026

The Agricultural Worker Justice Act of 2026 establishes new rules to improve wages, safety, and accountability for workers in the meat and poultry processing industry. It requires the USDA to only purchase food from facilities where workers are paid at least the local prevailing wage and prohibits companies receiving USDA funds from buying back their own stock or paying dividends. The bill also mandates stricter safety standards, including limits on increased production line speeds, better access to toilet facilities, and enhanced protections against retaliation for reporting injuries or unsafe conditions. Additionally, the legislation creates a system to blacklist contractors with repeated labor law violations and requires detailed annual reports on grant recipients and racial disparities in the sector.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates prevailing wages, restricts corporate stock buybacks, and enforces stricter safety standards for agricultural workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

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