The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“PROTECTING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the in the House section section on page H5555 on June 15.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
PROTECTING INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS
(Mr. ALLEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. ALLEN. Mr. Speaker, with inflation at a 40-year high and a sluggish economy, attacking workers' freedoms should be the furthest thing from the President's mind.
President Biden's Department of Labor is in the process of changing the definition of an employee to include independent contractors. This would be devastating for the 19 million Americans who currently enjoy the flexibility that comes with building wealth by participating in the American Dream.
Under this change, workers classified as independent contractors would be subject to the same employment-related restrictions as traditional employees. This is an assault on the modern American worker.
Independent contractors were responsible for over 70 percent of the job growth during the last economic expansion before COVID. If we want to spur economic growth, we must remove barriers and allow our workforce to flourish.
Fortunately, my legislation, the Employee Rights Act, would codify protections for independent contractors, shielding them from these overreaching classifications.
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