1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

As a concerned constituent from [your city/district] in [your state], I am writing to urge you to oppose H.R. 1319, the so-called “Modern Worker Empowerment Act,” and to vote NO if it comes to the House floor for consideration. This bill, introduced on February 13, 2025, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act in ways that severely undermine essential worker protections. H.R. 1319 seeks to redefine the criteria for classifying workers as employees versus independent contractors under federal labor laws. Specifically, it would deem a worker an independent contractor if an employer does not exercise “significant control” over the details of their work—regardless of oversight on the final outcome—and if the worker faces the “opportunities and risks” of entrepreneurship. The bill also prohibits considering factors like compliance with legal, health, safety, insurance, or performance requirements when making this determination. While proponents claim this provides clarity, in reality, it creates dangerous loopholes that allow employers to misclassify employees as contractors, stripping millions of American workers of critical rights and benefits. Independent contractors are not entitled to federal minimum wage, overtime pay, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, or the right to form unions and bargain collectively—protections that are the backbone of fair labor standards. By easing misclassification, H.R. 1319 would exacerbate income inequality, weaken unions, and leave vulnerable workers, including those in gig economies, trucking, and service industries, without recourse against exploitation. Democratic leaders, including Ranking Member Bobby Scott, have warned that this bill enables employers to “skirt their responsibility to provide fair wages and safe working conditions,” harming families across the country. Even groups like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have raised alarms about how it restricts truckers’ ability to negotiate and hands excessive control to carriers. As someone who values strong labor protections and economic security for all Americans, I cannot support legislation that prioritizes corporate profits over workers’ rights. This bill threatens the progress we’ve made in safeguarding employees and could lead to widespread job losses and reduced bargaining power for unions. I implore you to stand with working families by voting NO on H.R. 1319 and to advocate for policies that truly empower workers, not undermine them. Thank you for your time and for representing the interests of your constituents. I look forward to your response on this critical issue and would welcome the opportunity to discuss it further.