Recognizing the contributions of independent workers and contractors to the American economy.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 72 Recognizing the contributions of independent workers and contractors to the American economy. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JANUARY 30, 2023 Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. FALLON, Mr. VALADAO, Mr. CARTER of Georgia, Mr. MIKE GARCIA of California, Ms. FOXX, Mrs. LESKO, Mrs. STEEL, Mrs. HINSON, Mr. MOOLENAAR, Mr. KILEY, Mr. CALVERT, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. OBERNOLTE, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. FERGUSON, and Mr. COLE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Recognizing the contributions of independent workers and contractors to the American economy. Whereas independent workers can be defined as workers who are self-employed, independent contractors, sole propri- etors, or nonpermanent workers who are hired on a per- project basis; Whereas independent workers can include, but are not limited to, musicians, lawyers, drivers, couriers, computer pro- grammers, writers, and other entrepreneurs; Whereas embracing independent work offers workers great freedom and flexibility in their hours, locations, and occu- pations; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:41 Jan 30, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR72.IH HR72 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 72 IH Whereas technological innovation has enabled more Ameri- cans than ever to pursue flexible, independent work, in- cluding through app-based platforms; Whereas 61 percent of independent workers report their earnings are equal or more than with a more traditional work environment; Whereas the flexible work economy offers business owners ad- vantages, such as the ability to hire experts for services not regularly needed or extra workers for busy seasons and lower space costs; Whereas independent workers comprise approximately 39 percent of United States workers, a 3-percent increase from 2021, resulting in roughly 60,000,000 Americans engaging in some type of freelance work; Whereas independent workers contributed nearly $1.35 tril- lion to the American economy in 2022; Whereas the number of independent workers has grown expo- nentially in recent years, with approximately 26 million Americans’ primary income deriving from the inde- pendent work economy; Whereas 67 percent of independent workers reported that their jobs prepared them for the uncertainty of the COVID–19 pandemic better than those in traditional jobs; Whereas according to data from 2020, 43 percent of those aged 18 to 22 and 46 percent of those aged 23 to 38 chose the flexible work economy over traditional employ- ment; Whereas over 50 percent of the American workforce is pro- jected to participate in the flexible work economy by 2027; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:41 Jan 30, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR72.IH HR72 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 72 IH Whereas some elected officials and communities have taken actions to end the independent work economy by sup- porting legislation that would require freelance workers to register as traditional employees, removing their free- dom and flexibility to work where, when, and how they want; and Whereas legislation forcing independent workers to classify as employees could supersede State laws such as Prop 22 in California, which overturned worker classification laws and strengthened contractor freedom: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) recognizes the rising importance of inde- 2 pendent workers, app-based earners, freelancers, and 3 other independent contractors to the American econ- 4 omy; and 5 (2) recognizes the benefits of independent work 6 to entrepreneurs and individuals seeking flexible 7 hours, locations, and occupations and the benefit of 8 additional income-earning potential. 9 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:41 Jan 30, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR72.IH HR72 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS