The House Education and Workforce Committee has approved three bills aimed at increasing flexibility and improving pay conditions for American workers. The legislation includes the Working Families Flexibility Act of 2025 (H.R. 2870), the Tipped Employee Protection Act (H.R. 2312), and the Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act of 2025 (H.R. 2299).
According to Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), “Hardworking Americans deserve more control over their time and their paychecks. The Working Families Flexibility Act gives private-sector workers the same choice government workers already have—the option to take paid time off instead of overtime pay. That means more flexibility for parents, caregivers, and anyone juggling work and family responsibilities.
“We also passed two bills to make sure workers can keep more of what they earn and get paid what they’re owed—fast. By improving confusing federal laws and agency guidance, we are making it easier for tipped workers to earn more. We’re also permanently reinstating the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program, so employers fix payroll errors quickly ensuring workers receive what they earn fast. These are commonsense solutions that put workers and families first.”
The Working Families Flexibility Act was introduced by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL). It would allow private-sector employees to choose between paid time off or overtime pay.
Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR) introduced the Tipped Employee Protection Act, which aims to clarify who qualifies as a tipped employee while removing certain federal guidelines that some believe limit earning potential for these workers.
The Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act, sponsored by Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI), seeks to reinstate the Payroll Audit Independent Determination program on a permanent basis. This initiative enables employers to correct payroll mistakes without penalty, allowing employees faster access to back wages owed from errors in payment processes. When previously implemented in 2018, this program reportedly resulted in four times as much back pay returned to employees compared with traditional enforcement methods.
A video recording of the committee markup is available online.
