Labor & Employment (Labor Standards)

in committee · United States · House Feb 13, 2025

HR 1314: TIPS Act

This bill (HR 1314, TIPS Act) requires employers to pay tipped workers the standard federal minimum wage instead of the current lower rate (currently $2.13/hour), directly affecting workers in hospitality, food service, and similar roles. It also creates a new tax deduction for cash tips received in qualifying jobs (e.g., restaurants, hotels), allowing workers to deduct these tips from taxable income up to $112,500 in adjusted gross income. The deduction applies only to tips from unrelated customers without business ownership stakes, excluding credit card tips. The tax provisions take effect for 2026 tax years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax deduction for cash tips, reducing taxable income for lower-wage workers - direct tax relief aligning with support criteria.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases tipped workers' minimum wage from $2.13 to standard rate and allows tax deduction on tips, directly advancing wage protections and income for affected workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · House Sep 15, 2025

HR 5350: FAIR Act of 2025

The FAIR Act of 2025 would prohibit companies from requiring pre-dispute arbitration agreements or waivers that prevent individuals from joining class or collective lawsuits in employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights cases. This directly affects workers, consumers, and small businesses who currently face forced arbitration for issues like workplace discrimination, product defects, or unfair business practices. The bill makes such agreements unenforceable while allowing voluntary arbitration after disputes arise and leaving collective bargaining agreements unaffected. It applies to all disputes occurring after the law takes effect, without changing how voluntary arbitration works post-dispute.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits forced arbitration in employment cases, allowing workers to join class actions for discrimination and workplace issues, directly protecting workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Employment Discrimination Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Jan 7, 2025

HR 240: Protect Local Farms Act

HR 240, the Protect Local Farms Act, amends federal labor law to override certain state regulations affecting agricultural workers. It adds a provision stating that federal overtime rules preempt any state law setting a maximum workweek of less than 60 hours for farm employees. This means states with stricter rules (like limiting workweeks to 50 or 55 hours) would no longer be able to enforce those limits for agricultural workers. The bill directly affects farm employees in states that currently have shorter workweek requirements under their own laws.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill overrides state laws limiting farm workweeks (e.g., 50-55 hours) to allow 60-hour federal standard, weakening worker protections by preempting stricter state regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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passed · United States · House Dec 15, 2025

HR 2550: Protect America's Workforce Act

The Protect America's Workforce Act cancels an executive order issued on March 27, 2025, that excluded certain groups from federal labor-management relations programs, making it legally unenforceable. It also ensures that all collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and labor unions, which were active as of March 26, 2025, remain fully effective until their agreed terms expire. This directly affects federal agencies, labor unions, and the employees covered by these agreements. The bill prevents federal funds from being used to implement the canceled executive order while preserving existing labor agreements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCancels executive order excluding groups from labor programs, preserves collective bargaining agreements. Protects workers' rights to negotiate with federal agencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards Public Employees

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2025

HR 3532: Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act

HR 3532, the Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act, prohibits employers from terminating or altering an employee’s employer-sponsored health coverage during a lawful strike or a lockout (when an employer withholds work to influence bargaining). It directly affects workers participating in strikes or facing lockouts, ensuring continued healthcare access during these labor disputes. The bill adds penalties: $75,000 per violation for lockout-related coverage termination (up to $150,000 for repeat offenses), and $50,000 per violation for strike-related termination (up to $100,000 for repeat offenses), with penalties applied alongside other remedies. These provisions amend the National Labor Relations Act to protect workers’ healthcare rights during collective bargaining actions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents termination of employer-sponsored healthcare during strikes/lockouts, directly protecting workers' access to existing coverage during labor disputes.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents termination of health coverage during lawful strikes/lockouts, directly protecting workers' healthcare access and rights during labor disputes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 235: Apprenticeship Pathways Act of 2025

The Apprenticeship Pathways Act of 2025 funds business groups and nonprofits (called "industry intermediaries") to create apprenticeship programs for secondary students and disconnected youth (ages 16-25 not in school or work). It prioritizes high-poverty schools, rural communities, and underrepresented groups like women in construction and people with disabilities. Key provisions include using federal funds to cover 50% of apprentice wages, provide wraparound support (childcare, tutoring, transportation), and develop training in high-demand fields like plumbing, healthcare, and technology. The bill directs these intermediaries to partner with schools and employers to build pathways into skilled trades and STEM careers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds apprenticeship programs for secondary students, prioritizes high-poverty schools and underrepresented groups, providing wage coverage and wraparound support to expand educational access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds apprenticeship programs covering 50% of wages for disconnected youth, prioritizes underrepresented groups, and provides wraparound support - directly advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 8, 2025

S 1348: Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly include the birth of a child as a qualifying reason for leave, directly affecting employees taking leave for childbirth. It adds "the birth of a son or daughter" to the list of covered events under FMLA and requires employers to notify eligible employees that they cannot recover health insurance premiums paid during leave if the employee does not return after childbirth leave. The key change prevents employers from charging employees for health coverage costs if they choose not to return to work following a birth-related leave. This update clarifies existing FMLA protections without altering leave duration or pay.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents employers from recovering health insurance premiums during childbirth leave, protecting continuous coverage access during critical health period95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends FMLA to include childbirth as qualifying leave, prevents employers from charging health insurance premiums during leave, protecting workers' rights and benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2025

HR 3662: Labor Income Fairness and Transparency Act

The Labor Income Fairness and Transparency Act (HR 3662) increases the federal minimum wage to $10.25 per hour after one year, $13.75 after two years, and $17.00 after three years, with future increases tied to median wage growth. It eliminates subminimum wage rates for youth workers (previously allowed for first 90 days), student-learners, and special certificate programs, requiring all workers to receive the standard minimum wage. The bill also increases minimum wage rates for tipped employees and raises civil penalties for wage law violations from $1,100 to $2,200. It establishes a National Advisory Committee on the Hospitality Industry to advise on worker issues in that sector and makes temporary Earned Income Tax Credit improvements permanent. This legislation directly affects all covered workers and employers across the United States who must comply with federal wage laws.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises federal minimum wage incrementally, eliminates subminimum wage exceptions, and increases tipped wage rates - directly advancing worker compensation standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · House Apr 8, 2025

HR 2732: Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act

This bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly include "the birth of a son or daughter" as a qualifying reason for leave. It directly affects employees taking leave for childbirth, ensuring they cannot be penalized for not returning to work after such leave. The key provision requires employers to notify eligible employees that they cannot recover health insurance premiums paid during the leave if the employee does not return due to the birth. This change clarifies protections for parents using FMLA for childbirth-related leave.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents employers from recovering health insurance premiums during childbirth leave, protecting coverage continuity and aligning with healthcare access protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends FMLA to protect parents from penalties for childbirth leave and ensure health insurance coverage, strengthening worker protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Women's Health Employment Discrimination Labor Standards Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 12, 2026

S 3869: Healthy Families Act

The Healthy Families Act would require most private employers and certain government entities to provide employees with earned paid sick time, allowing workers to take up to 56 hours per year for their own health needs, caring for family members, or addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Employees would earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with the ability to use it for medical appointments, caring for family members with health needs, or seeking safety from violence. The bill prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who use this time and requires employers to post clear notices about the policy. It applies to most private employers, with specific provisions for government entities like the Library of Congress and Government Accountability Office.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates paid sick time for health needs and family care, directly improving healthcare access and supporting patient rights as defined in the topic.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid sick leave (56 hrs/yr), expanding worker benefits and protecting health-related needs per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave

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