Labor & Employment

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5097: End H–1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026

This bill, the End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026, proposes to stop the issuance of H-1B work visas for three years and then restrict them to primary workers rather than their families. It would require employers to prove a shortage of qualified American workers and pay a minimum wage of $200,000 per year, while also banning the use of staffing agencies to hire these workers. The legislation further limits the total number of H-1B visas to 25,000 annually, removes the current lottery system in favor of prioritizing higher wages, and prohibits H-1B workers from holding jobs with more than one employer or working for third-party agencies. Additionally, the bill bars federal government agencies from hiring H-1B workers, eliminates optional training programs for foreign students, and generally prevents nonimmigrant visa holders from changing their status to permanent residents while in the United States.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts H-1B visa access by limiting numbers, raising wage requirements, and banning staffing agencies, thereby reducing immigrant workforce opportunities.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts H-1B visas, raises minimum wage requirements, and bans staffing agencies, limiting access to foreign labor.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization Minimum Wage

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 27, 2026

HR 9967: Congress Leads by Example Act of 2026

The Congress Leads by Example Act of 2026 expands workplace protections for employees of the legislative branch, including the House, Senate, and agencies like the Government Accountability Office and Library of Congress. The bill strengthens existing safety rules by giving the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights new authority to investigate workplace hazards and explicitly forbids retaliation against staff who report these issues. It also extends several federal employee rights to congressional staff, such as protections against firing due to garnishment or bankruptcy, access to parental bereavement leave, and mandatory mediation for labor disputes. Additionally, the legislation requires legislative offices to keep specific records regarding discrimination claims and ensures that hearings related to these complaints are open to the public.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workplace safety rules and protects staff from retaliation for reporting hazards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Workplace Safety

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 14, 2026

S 4961: PATH Act

The Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats Act authorizes $20 million annually to fund grants for nonprofit partnerships that develop training programs preparing individuals for careers in the building and construction trades. These grants are awarded to groups that include employers, labor organizations, and educational institutions to create curricula aligned with industry standards and registered apprenticeship requirements. The program specifically targets underrepresented populations, such as racial minorities, women, veterans, and long-term unemployed individuals, by covering training costs and potentially providing stipends for work-based learning. To receive funding, applicants must demonstrate a partnership with an existing apprenticeship sponsor and show that the program leads to a high school diploma or equivalent for participants. The Department of Labor oversees the grants, which require annual curriculum reviews and independent evaluations to ensure participants successfully enter registered apprenticeship programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes $20M annually for grants to develop construction trade training programs with educational institutions, expanding vocational education access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds training programs for construction trades, expanding workforce opportunities and supporting labor standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education

Track

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

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 10007: Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2026

The Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2026 aims to address staffing shortages in public health by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to create model standards for credentialed environmental health workers and develop a strategic plan to train and retain them. This legislation directs the government to study best practices in six specific states regarding worker training and credentialing, while also expanding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to include full-time employment as an environmental health worker. The bill defines environmental health workers as professionals who assess environmental hazards and enforce safety guidelines, ensuring that efforts to strengthen this workforce are based on concrete policy changes rather than speculation.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental health workforce by creating standards and training plans to protect public health and environment.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workforce stability by addressing staffing shortages, establishing credentialing standards, and expanding loan forgiveness for public health workers.75% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9730: Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act of 2026

The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act of 2026 allows the State Department to rehire certain former career diplomats without requiring them to take new exams. This provision applies specifically to individuals who were involuntarily separated or retired between January 20, 2025, and January 31, 2030, as part of a reduction in force or similar expedited process. To qualify, these former employees must have been serving in good standing and must not have received low performance rankings in the five years leading up to their separation. The bill aims to streamline the reentry process for these specific groups by waiving standard testing requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill facilitates rehiring of former diplomats, protecting their employment rights and reducing barriers to reentry.60% confidence

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9908: Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act

The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a workforce development plan aimed at training cybersecurity professionals specifically for rural hospitals. This strategy requires the Secretary to consult with various federal agencies and healthcare representatives while focusing on partnerships, curriculum development, and identifying local security challenges. Additionally, the bill mandates the publication of free instructional materials and an awareness campaign to help rural hospital staff learn fundamental cybersecurity skills. The legislation does not authorize any new funding, relying instead on existing resources to implement these training and educational initiatives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens rural hospital cybersecurity, protecting patient data and enhancing healthcare infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates a workforce development plan to train cybersecurity professionals, expanding employment opportunities in rural hospitals.65% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly enhances cybersecurity for rural hospitals by funding workforce development and training professionals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Workforce Development Tags Cybersecurity Rural Communities

Track

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9809: Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act

The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act updates the tax credit available to small businesses that make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. It allows these businesses to claim the credit for a broader range of expenses, including equipment and services that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or are needed even if the business is not currently subject to those rules. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of disability and reasonable accommodation within the tax code. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to issue guidance and conduct public outreach to help eligible businesses understand the updated credit, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment. These changes will take effect for expenses incurred after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for small businesses, providing fiscal relief and encouraging accessibility investments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax credits for businesses improving accessibility, fostering inclusive employment environments and supporting workers with disabilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tags People with Disabilities

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4918: Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2026

The Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2026 creates a new federal tax credit to support individuals working in licensed child care facilities. This credit provides up to $4,500 annually for workers with a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or related fields, $3,000 for those with an associate's degree, and $1,500 for other eligible providers. To qualify, workers must perform at least 1,200 hours of child care services per year at a licensed facility that is not primarily their home, and the bill limits the credit to a maximum of three consecutive years per individual. The legislation applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new federal tax credit to support child care workers, directly advancing fiscal incentives for public service.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a federal tax credit to financially reward and retain early childhood education workers, directly supporting educators and improving access to quality care.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides federal tax credits to child care workers based on education and hours worked, directly increasing compensation and supporting the workforce.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5107: No Corporate Crooks Act

The No Corporate Crooks Act bars individuals from working in the federal executive branch if they have been convicted of specific crimes committed while serving as a chief executive officer of a public or private non-federal entity. This ban applies to offenses such as bribery, fraud, cybercrime, embezzlement, insider trading, wage theft, and tax evasion, as well as comparable state-level crimes. Additionally, the law requires that any current federal executive branch employee who would be ineligible under these new rules must be removed from their position.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill bars convicted corporate criminals from federal executive roles, enhancing accountability and integrity within government institutions.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill bars convicted corporate criminals from federal employment, protecting workers from unethical leadership and reinforcing wage theft and fraud prohibitions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

Track