Labor & Employment

in committee · United States · House Apr 27, 2026

HR 8523: Public Lands Workforce Stability Act

The Public Lands Workforce Stability Act prevents the Department of the Interior and the United States Forest Service from firing employees or cutting jobs between now and September 30, 2030, unless specific conditions are met. Under this law, agencies cannot reduce staff numbers or separate employees for reasons like poor performance or misconduct without first getting approval from the chairs and ranking members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. This restriction applies to all federal funds used for these actions and aims to maintain workforce stability within these agencies for the next several years.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects federal public lands employees from job cuts and firing without congressional approval, directly strengthening job security and workforce stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 4413: Protecting America’s Workers Act

The Protecting America's Workers Act expands workplace safety protections by including public employees and voluntary emergency responders under federal safety laws, while also strengthening whistleblower safeguards against retaliation. Key provisions require employers to report serious work-related injuries and deaths, mandate the posting of employee rights, and establish a process for victims and families to participate in enforcement proceedings. The bill also increases civil and criminal penalties for safety violations, improves oversight of state safety plans, and authorizes additional funding for training and hazard evaluations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands workplace safety protections, strengthens whistleblower safeguards, and requires injury reporting, directly advancing worker rights and safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workers' Compensation Workplace Safety

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in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2026

S 4597: Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026

The Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026 authorizes competitive grants to help partnerships create or expand training programs for early childhood education careers. These grants are intended for groups that include colleges, child care providers, and local businesses to work together on education and training initiatives. The funds can be used to develop educational materials, support student recruitment and retention, provide work-based learning experiences, and offer professional development for teachers and staff. Priority is given to applicants serving rural and urban areas, particularly those addressing documented shortages of child care providers and focusing on infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Recipients must submit detailed applications and annual reports to demonstrate how the programs benefit students and improve outcomes in the workforce.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes grants to expand training programs for early childhood educators, directly strengthening the workforce and educational access.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill authorizes grants to create training programs for early childhood workers, advancing workforce development and employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood

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in committee · United States · House May 15, 2026

HR 8868: Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026

The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 raises the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from federal overtime pay rules, starting at $45,000 per year and increasing annually until it reaches $75,000 by 2029. The bill also mandates that this threshold automatically updates each year to match the 55th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers nationwide, with adjustments taking effect based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additionally, the law modifies the duties test for exemption, requiring that at least 20 percent of an employee's time be spent on executive or administrative tasks rather than the current 40 percent standard. These changes directly affect employers and workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act by redefining eligibility for overtime exemptions and establishing a new mechanism for adjusting salary requirements over time.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill raises overtime exemption thresholds and mandates automatic updates, strengthening worker protections and wages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8844: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act

This bill, known as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act, corrects retirement benefits for specific officers who were offered jobs before July 6, 2008, but started working on or after that date. It ensures these officers are treated as if they were already serving on July 6, 2008, granting them a minimum annuity amount and an exemption from mandatory retirement age. To implement these changes, the Department of Homeland Security must create a list of affected individuals, notify them of their new benefits, and work with the Office of Personnel Management to apply retroactive adjustments. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to review hiring practices related to these benefits and submit a report to Congress within 18 months.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects CBP officers' retirement benefits and exempts them from mandatory retirement, strengthening worker security.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 9008: Worker Rights and Support Act

The Worker Rights and Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to provide specific break times for employees, directly affecting workers covered under federal wage and hour laws. Under the new rules, employees must receive at least a 30-minute meal break for every six hours worked, along with a 10-minute break or time to use a restroom for every four hours, and up to 20-minute breaks for medical needs. While meal breaks can be unpaid if the employee is fully relieved of work, any break where the employee remains on duty or cannot leave the site must be paid at a rate of at least one and a half times their regular wage. The bill also allows employees to voluntarily waive meal breaks but prohibits employers from forcing them to do so, and it ensures that existing collective bargaining agreements or state laws offering better protections remain in effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates paid or protected break times, directly strengthening worker rights and workplace conditions under federal wage and hour laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

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in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8335: PROTECT Act of 2026

The PROTECT Act of 2026 modifies rules for H-1B visa petitions to ensure higher wages and stricter oversight for third-party work arrangements. It requires employers to pay H-1B workers at least the higher of the local market rate or $100,000, adjusted annually for inflation, and limits visas for those working at third-party sites to a maximum of one year unless the job assignment is clearly defined and long-term. Additionally, the bill mandates that visa petitions offering higher compensation be prioritized for approval regardless of filing date. A separate provision exempts health care workers from certain filing fees if the employer can prove they made a good faith effort to hire a U.S. citizen or permanent resident before bringing in foreign staff. These changes apply to all H-1B visa petitions filed on or after the date the law is enacted.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts H-1B visa access by imposing higher wage floors and limiting third-party work durations, effectively reducing immigrant worker protections.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates higher minimum wages for H-1B workers and strengthens oversight of third-party arrangements, directly protecting worker rights and compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8484: Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act

The Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act establishes a grant program to provide financial compensation and safety resources to essential health care workers during declared emergencies or disasters. This legislation directly affects medical providers, support staff, and other frontline workers whose jobs cannot be performed remotely, such as orderlies and janitors in health care settings. Under the bill, eligible facilities can receive federal funds to pay workers an additional hourly rate of up to $13 for hazardous duties, with a yearly cap of $25,000 per employee, while also allowing funds for protective equipment and alternative transportation. The program is triggered by various federal or state emergency declarations and authorizes the necessary funding to implement these hazard pay measures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a grant program to provide financial compensation and safety resources to essential healthcare workers during emergencies.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides hazard pay and safety resources to frontline healthcare workers, directly strengthening worker compensation and workplace safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 8832: Supporting Women COPS Act of 2026

The Supporting Women COPS Act of 2026 creates a 12-member Task Force to study and recommend national hiring standards for law enforcement that do not disadvantage women based on sex. This group will also provide advice on improving retention for female officers and helping them advance to leadership positions. States that adopt these recommendations will receive an additional 5 percent of their federal crime control funding, and the Attorney General will offer technical assistance to help states implement the standards. The Task Force must submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides states with additional federal funding (5% increase) for adopting hiring standards, directly strengthening budget allocations for crime control.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a task force to improve hiring standards and retention for female officers, enhancing law enforcement diversity and leadership, which supports criminal justice reform and accountability.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill aims to improve hiring standards and retention for female law enforcement officers, addressing workplace equity and career advancement.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House May 19, 2026

HRES 1301: Supporting the designation of May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to raise awareness around mental health in the agricultural industry and workforce and to continue to reduce stigma associated with mental illness.

This resolution designates May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to highlight mental health issues within the farming and agricultural workforce. It aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness by acknowledging the unique stressors faced by producers and workers, such as unpredictable weather, labor shortages, and market fluctuations. The bill also draws attention to available support resources, specifically the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, and encourages the public to observe the day as a way to promote well-being in the industry.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill designates a day to raise mental health awareness in agriculture, aiming to reduce stigma and highlight support resources, which aligns with supporting mental health services.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill raises awareness of mental health in agriculture, addressing worker well-being and reducing stigma, which supports worker welfare.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Tags Agriculture

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