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house Bill H.R. 2474

Increasing Penalties for Misclassification of Employees as Contractors & Strengthening Workers' Right to Strike

Argument in favor

Although Americans are becoming increasingly interested in and supportive of labor unions, union membership is at its lowest point ever. This is due to the lack of laws supporting labor unions and the proliferation of right-to-work laws. By strengthening labor unions, this bill will protect workers and raise workers’ wages.

Kelly 's Opinion
···
09/02/2019
One of the first and only fights I remember my parents having was when my dad ( a union over the road truck drives) found out that my mom crossed a picket line to do , i don’t even remember, something. The first and about only time I heard my father raise his voice. He spoke so passionately about unions and what the provided for their people that I will never forget it. I was 6 years old and have been pro union ever sense. After that I made him take me , whenever permitted, to union events. I even met Jimmy Hoffa at one gathering. I always look for the union label and speak pro union at every opportunity. And to this day I have never crossed a picket line and never will. God bless the unions. Forever for the working class.
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Barbara's Opinion
···
09/02/2019
Our nation is made up of working people. It’s time we protected them instead of corporations. It says “We the People”.
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Carol's Opinion
···
09/02/2019
American workers need to be protected from employers who exploit them. The current system is broken and unscrupulous businesses have taken advantage of their workers for too long. Union featherbedding is a thing of the past. Automation has changes our workforce and manufacturing is no longer the major means of employment in the US. Service and sales are very exploitive of their workforce and their attitudes are "we can always replace them". We will eventually return to the small business model of the 1800s if workers do not have protections.
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Argument opposed

This bill would force workers to join unions regardless of whether they want to do so and hurt opportunities for people working as independent contractors. Most importantly, by making the regulatory environment more challenging for businesses, this bill would make it impossible for the economy to continue growing at its current pace.

JTJ's Opinion
···
09/02/2019
Unions hold back the hard workers and incentivize the slackers.
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ManfromNebraska's Opinion
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09/02/2019
We don’t need more regulations protecting workers and labor unions. Just enforce the laws we do have.
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Bill's Opinion
···
02/06/2020
The government has no legitimate authority to dictate. It’s a sovereign right of contract.
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bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house Passed February 7th, 2020
    Roll Call Vote 224 Yea / 194 Nay
    IntroducedMay 2nd, 2019
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Bill Activity

  • IntroReferral
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 11.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Meadows amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Meadows demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Meadows amendment No. 10.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Stevens amendment No. 9.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Keller amendment No. 8.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Hayes amendment No. 7.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Allen amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Allen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Allen amendment No. 6.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Wild amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Wild demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Wild amendment No. 5.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Roe (TN) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Roe (TN) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Roe (TN) amendment No. 4.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Norcross amendment No. 3.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Foxx amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Foxx amendment No. 2.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Stevens amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Stevens demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Stevens amendment No. 1.
  • Floor
    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2474.
  • Floor
    The Speaker designated the Honorable Earl Blumenauer to act as Chairman of the Committee.
  • Floor
    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 833 and Rule XVIII.
  • Floor
    Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 826, H.R. 2474 and H.R. 5687. The resolution provides for consideration of H.Res. 826 under a closed rule with one hour of debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2474, under a structured rule and consideration of H.R. 5687, under a structured rule. Each bill shall be debated for one hour.
  • Floor
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 833.
  • Floor
    Mr. Hern, Kevin moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Education and Labor. (text: CR H925)
  • Floor
    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union. (text: CR H895-898)
  • Floor
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 833. (consideration: CR H879-928; text: CR H895-898)
  • Floor
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • Floor
    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 224 - 194 (Roll no. 50).
  • Floor
    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 195 - 223 (Roll no. 49).
  • Floor
    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hern, Kevin (OK) motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to forbid a labor organization from communicating with an employee regarding joining or supporting the labor organization if the employee is not authorized to work in the United States.
  • Floor
    Mr. Hern, Kevin moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Education and Labor.
  • Floor
    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
  • Floor
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  • Floor
    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2474.
  • Floor
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rouda amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment, and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Rouda demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Rouda amendment No. 16.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Lawrence amendment No. 15.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Tlaib amendment No. 14
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Vargas amendment No. 13.
  • Floor
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 833, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes on the Rooney (FL) amendment No. 12.
  • Floor
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 833 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H. Res. 826, H.R. 2474 and H.R. 5687. The resolution provides for consideration of H.Res. 826 under a closed rule with one hour of debate. Also, the resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2474, under a structured rule and consideration of H.R. 5687, under a structured rule. Each bill shall be debated for one hour.
  • Calendars
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 276.
  • Committee
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 116-347.
  • Committee
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 21.
  • Committee
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
  • IntroReferral
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

bill Progress

  • Not enacted
    The President has not signed this bill
  • The senate has not voted
  • The house Passed February 7th, 2020
    Roll Call Vote 224 Yea / 194 Nay
    IntroducedMay 2nd, 2019
Log in or create an account to see how your Reps voted!
    Kelly 's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    One of the first and only fights I remember my parents having was when my dad ( a union over the road truck drives) found out that my mom crossed a picket line to do , i don’t even remember, something. The first and about only time I heard my father raise his voice. He spoke so passionately about unions and what the provided for their people that I will never forget it. I was 6 years old and have been pro union ever sense. After that I made him take me , whenever permitted, to union events. I even met Jimmy Hoffa at one gathering. I always look for the union label and speak pro union at every opportunity. And to this day I have never crossed a picket line and never will. God bless the unions. Forever for the working class.
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    JTJ's Opinion Against
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Unions hold back the hard workers and incentivize the slackers.
    Like (50)
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    Barbara's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Our nation is made up of working people. It’s time we protected them instead of corporations. It says “We the People”.
    Like (160)
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    Carol's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    American workers need to be protected from employers who exploit them. The current system is broken and unscrupulous businesses have taken advantage of their workers for too long. Union featherbedding is a thing of the past. Automation has changes our workforce and manufacturing is no longer the major means of employment in the US. Service and sales are very exploitive of their workforce and their attitudes are "we can always replace them". We will eventually return to the small business model of the 1800s if workers do not have protections.
    Like (122)
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    John's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Thank unions for your Labor Day Holiday. And the 40hr week. And overtime pay. And healthcare. And no child labor. And on and on and on. What did big business ever GIVE you?
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    Robert's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Protection from dangerous working conditions. Protection from unwanted sexual advances. Protection from discrimination of religion, sexual orientation, age discrimination, being women, etc..
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    jimK's Public Comment
    ···
    09/02/2019
    My answer is both YES and NO. I have needed to take some time to explain this in a way that cannot be misinterpreted. Organizations of any size tend to act in ways to preserve and enhance that organization. This is true for a school of fish, a pod of whales, a family unit, a city government, a drug cartel, the Republican Senate, the AMA, large companies, our Country and world-wide alliances. These organizations will take actions to the detriment of other organizations as they protect and enhance themselves. That is the positive part of unionization. It allows union organizations, with some collective ‘clout’, to protect itself by protecting its membership against the collective ’clout’ of company’s who may abuse its members- kind of an equal match-up. Unionization has certainly improved worker’s rights and has protected them from corporate abuse- but there are also a couple of downsides. First, one-size-fits-all union rules may appeal to the general membership but they also can limit an individual worker’s advancement. I recall a conversation with a VP of what today would be about a $500M company after his vacation to Rome. He was lamenting the fact that they employed some highly skilled technicians with the kind of ‘gifted’ skills that contributed to the majestic construction he had seen- but he had no way of showing them how much they were valued or rewarding them financially, because Union rules required in-grade promotions be given based on seniority. This was a disservice to both the employees and to the Company. It disincentivized worker involvement in processes that would benefit both the workers and the company. Next, In today’s world the consolidation of many unions into huge organizations give those huge unions an unbalanced ‘clout’ over companies and result in negotiated wages and benefits that are out of line with the market. I recall a radio interview some time ago with a machinist out of work during a targeted auto manufacturer strike. He was complaining about losing the $70K he had been earning while on strike. The interviewer asked if the strike was hitting him so hard, why didn’t he just find other work. He said no, any non-UAW job would not pay more than $50K. Interviewer asked, do you think it fair that you are earning that much more? He replied: “No, as a union member, I deserve this”. I believe Union clout in this instance led to a situation where this UAW worker had the best defined-benefit retirement package in existence at the time and additionally had the best wages in his field. Before the restructuring of the auto industry after the AGI incident, it is no wonder that competing products from foreign automakers (who admittedly do not have the same worker standards that we do) have led to so much manufacturing being moved off-shore. So, I feel that worker rights definitely need to be protected and enhanced. I also believe that the big umbrella unions are far too powerful in that they are organizations with too much ‘clout’ and that organizations evolve to protect the organization’s interests, not necessarily it’s individual member’s interest. I think as organizations, the same kind of anti-trust laws that broke up large dominating corporate organizations, need to be applied to these large dominating union collectives as well. … … … It is clear that the balance of power has been moving toward Corporations and that Union protections are once again needed. There are legislative ways to ensure that workers are valued stakeholders in a Corporation’s future, particularly in publicly owned and regulated companies - to rebalance and re-align priorities for the long-term common good of workers, shareholders, and company growth alike- to truly compete internationally by providing better products and services like we used to do.
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    burrkitty's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Strong unions make strong economic sense and a strong middle class. I have worked in union and non-union jobs in both union and non-union states. I was absolutely treated better in union states in both union and non-union jobs. “Right-to-works” is BS. It’s “right to fire for any reason” in reality. You know for “being a woman”, “reporting harassment”, “being to good at my job and making other look bad”, “not a team player; aka refused to give BJs” and bullshit like that.
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    Dennison 's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Unions make American great!
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    Paul's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    The behavior of corporations show the need for unions.
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    Heather's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Labor unions protect the backbone of the work force. Employees need to be able to negotiate for a safe and reasonanle work environment.
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    Robert (steve)'s Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Yes, government and big business need to stop rigging the system against organized labor. They have beat down the middle class enough, time for labor to organize and workers get what they deserve.
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    Dominick's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Unions are what made this country strong, lifting up everyone. You can trace the decline of the union to the decline of the American worker.
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    ManfromNebraska's Opinion Against
    ···
    09/02/2019
    We don’t need more regulations protecting workers and labor unions. Just enforce the laws we do have.
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    doingmypart's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Corporations do everything possible to remove workers rights. Nowadays every state has become a “right to work” state, meaning employers can terminate your employment whenever they see fit. This policy was enacted due to the will of corporations. Unions protect employees from these cruel laws, without them we are all disposable.
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    Eric's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    The Republican Party has lionized the rich and CEO’s. They use workers as a voting tool that they lie and manipulate to get tax breaks for the rich. The only major law they passed when they controlled all branches of government was a giant permeant tax cut for the super-rich and a tiny temporary tax cut for the rest of us that goes away after the 2020 election.
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    Bill's Opinion Against
    ···
    02/06/2020
    The government has no legitimate authority to dictate. It’s a sovereign right of contract.
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    Leslie's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    02/06/2020
    Biggest employment scam there is! Lay-off workers & hire them back as contractors at a fraction of their salary & no benefits! White collar & Service Industry mostly unprotected in US unlike Europe! They say the position is eliminated under restructuring but in fact just rename & the name maybe very similar!
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    Yvonne's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    Things you can thank unions for: All breaks at work including lunch breaks,paid vacation, FMLA, sick leave, social security, minimum wage, overtime pay, 8hr work days, civil rights rights act/title VII(prohibits employers discrimination, child labor laws, 40hr work week, workers comp, unemployment insurance, pensions, workplace safety standards and regulations, employer health care insurance, wrongful termination laws, age discrimination employment act of 1967, whistleblower protection laws, sexual harassment laws, Americans with disabilities act, holiday pay, employer dental, vision, and life insurance plans, privacy rights, military leave, pregnancy and paternal leave, right to strike, equal pay acts of 1963 and 2011, laws ending sweatshops in america.
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    Marcia's Opinion In Favor
    ···
    09/02/2019
    They don’t actually need protection as much as they need a fair playing field. So much legislation has been enacted in the past few decades to undermine workers rights and their ability to organize. All of the data supports that this has been good for some entities such as corporations but it has been bad for the average working person as a whole. When workers and unions are supported it benefits the entire community. When corporations are the focus of support it benefits the shareholders.
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