Protect workers!

Urgent Concern Regarding H.R. 1319 – Modern Worker Empowerment Act To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express deep concern regarding the introduction of H.R. 1319 – Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which was quietly filed this morning, immediately following Congress’s public announcement of recess yesterday. This timing raises serious questions about transparency and intent. The decision to introduce such a consequential piece of legislation after declaring recess—effectively limiting public scrutiny and media coverage—suggests a deliberate effort to minimize public engagement. This approach undermines democratic accountability and lends itself to the perception that the bill is designed to serve corporate interests at the expense of American workers. The bill’s provisions appear to narrow the definition of “employee,” making it easier for employers to classify workers as independent contractors. This change could: - Strip workers of essential protections like health benefits, unemployment insurance, and collective bargaining rights. - Enable employers to evade responsibility for workplace abuses, injuries, and discrimination. - Particularly affect federal contractors, including agencies like ICE, which already rely heavily on third-party labor. Under this bill, ICE could further distance itself from accountability by outsourcing sensitive roles to underprotected workers. This legislation, introduced under the cover of recess, appears to be a disservice to the American people, especially those in vulnerable labor sectors. I urge you to: - Delay consideration of H.R. 1319 until full public debate and committee hearings can be held. - Ensure that any changes to worker classification include robust safeguards against exploitation. - Investigate the timing and procedural handling of this bill’s introduction. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I hope you will act in the interest of transparency, fairness, and the dignity of American workers!