Press Releases

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) delivered the following statement, as prepared for delivery, at a markup of five bills to empower workers, protect opportunities for student-athletes, and address human trafficking:

"Today the Committee will be marking up five important pieces of legislation.

"H.R. 1319, the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, supports independent contractors by clearly defining the line between employee and independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act. As expert witnesses have told the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, many businesses have experienced administrative whiplash from regulatory changes affecting independent workers. The Modern Worker Empowerment Act will provide certainty for many businesses and independent contractors by using a similar framework that the Trump Department of Labor finalized in 2021. I would like to thank the American Trucking Associations for their strong support and acknowledge the independent workers who came to join us here today. 

"We will also consider H.R. 1320, the Modern Worker Security Act. This legislation will provide a safe harbor for businesses offering certain benefits to independent contractors which are usually reserved for W-2 employees. The government should avoid creating fear and uncertainty among independent contractors about reclassification as employees, especially because the vast majority of these workers have made it clear they do not wish to become employees. This bill will remove illogical disincentives to providing independent workers with benefits. I would like to thank Congressman Kiley for leading both these bills and for his expertise and passion on this issue. 

"The next bill, authored by Congressman Comer, is H.R. 4366, the Save Local Business Act, which protects the opportunity for all workers to pursue the American Dream. Specifically, this legislation will set one common-sense joint-employer test so that job creators will have clarity about what the law is and certainty for the future. For too long, we have allowed the National Labor Relations Board and DOL to determine their respective joint-employer tests, resulting in tests that change with every presidential administration. The Biden-Harris administration’s joint-employer standard created immense uncertainty and imposed massive costs on thousands of businesses nationwide. The Save Local Business Act will reverse the damage done by the Biden-Harris administration and allow Americans—especially Americans in the franchise industry—to start and grow their businesses without fear or uncertainty.  

"We will next consider H.R. 4312, the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements Act, led by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, whose work on this issue is much appreciated, myself, and many others. The SCORE Act, a bipartisan bill brings much needed stability to college athletics. Since the NCAA lifted Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and transfer rules in 2021, college athletics have been in a period of chaos, as constant litigation and efforts to classify student-athletes as employees jeopardize thousands of academic and athletic opportunities. 

"H.R. 4312 restores order by establishing a national framework for athlete compensation, clarifying that student-athletes are not employees, and granting athletic associations authority to enforce consistent rules. Additionally, the SCORE Act protects student athletes’ ability to earn NIL compensation and ensures universities provide academic support, degree completion programs, financial literacy, and preparation for life after sports. H.R. 4312 upholds the tradition of college sports by delivering a sustainable framework that protects broad-based academic and athletic opportunities for student athletes.

"Finally, we will consider H.R. 4307, the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act. This bipartisan bill, authored by me and Congresswoman McBath, will help DOL fight human trafficking and protect vulnerable adults and children. Specifically, this legislation directs the Secretary of Labor to educate DOL enforcement personnel on trafficking; ensures DOL personnel have the tools they need to detect cases of forced labor or sexual exploitation as they investigate employment law violations; establishes a clear framework for DOL employees to assist law enforcement in prosecution and prevention efforts; and requires DOL to provide an annual report to Congress on its efforts to combat human trafficking, which will help guide the Committee’s future oversight efforts."