Oppose H.R. 1320: Protect Worker Rights, Don’t Undermine Them

I write as a concerned constituent to respectfully oppose H.R. 1320—the Modern Worker Security Act. While it ostensibly supports independent contractors by enabling “portable benefits,” the bill risks stripping long-standing worker protections under federal labor law. The legislation creates a "safe harbor" that prohibits considering accessible benefits—such as paid leave, health insurance, and retirement savings—when determining contractor status under laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act and National Labor Relations Act. Supporters argue this will preserve contractor flexibility. But it also entrenches a model of “portable benefits” detached from real protections. Under its terms, workers receiving minimal corporate-structured savings accounts or training programs would still be denied rights like minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, and protections for labor organizing. As the National Employment Law Project warns, this “fake portable benefits” model opens doors for employers to bypass core employment frameworks and institutionalize substandard benefit regimes. Rather than weakening employment thresholds, Congress should ensure independent workers have access to "full, meaningful protections", including healthcare, workers’ comp, collective bargaining rights, and contributions to Social Security. Please oppose H.R. 1320 unless it is amended to preserve the breadth of protections that millions of Americans rely upon. Thank you for your attention and for considering the real welfare and rights of all workers.