Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) addressed the House of Representatives to express his support for three proposed bills aimed at protecting workers’ earnings, expanding job training opportunities, and supporting working families. The bills under consideration are H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act; H.R. 2262, the Flexibility for Workers Education Act; and H.R. 2270, the Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act.
Speaking about H.R. 2312, authored by Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR), Walberg stated: “Like many of my colleagues, I want to see Americans rewarded for their hard work and ensure they are paid what they earn. That’s why I am proud to rise in support of H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act, which creates stability for tipped workers and preserves opportunities for them to earn a good wage.
“The bill creates a clear, common-sense definition of a tipped worker and prevents future attempts by misguided, activist judges and bureaucrats seeking to implement policies that hurt workers’ bottom lines…H.R. 2312 puts more money back in workers’ pockets and eases the burden on employers by removing needless federal regulations.”
On H.R. 2262, introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Walberg commented: “[H.R. 2262] is a common-sense bill that makes it easier for a business to offer voluntary upskilling opportunities to its employees. As our nation faces a widening skills gap and millions of unfilled jobs, H.R. 2262 would provide additional pathways for workers to pursue trainings and fill a growing number of jobs that require skilled workers.
“As Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I am committed to cutting red tape and removing roadblocks that make it harder for workers and businesses to succeed. The Flexibility for Workers Education Act is another strong step toward ensuring Washington doesn’t put up roadblocks that hinder progress in our workforce.”
Regarding H.R. 2270 from Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN), Walberg said: “Across this country, millions of Americans are doing two full-time jobs at once. They are employees striving to be productive and dependable at work, and they are caregivers—parents of young children, sons and daughters caring for aging parents, or both. These responsibilities do not disappear when the workday begins. They shape whether a worker can show up on time, stay focused, or remain in the workforce at all.
“The Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act removes this longstanding obstacle for employers wishing to provide these highly valued accommodations to their workforce…sends a clear message: we value work, we value family, and we understand that the two are deeply connected.”
