Senator Scott, Colleagues Introduce the Employee Rights Act of 2022

WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Employee Rights Act of 2022. The bill updates and modernizes the Employee Rights Act to protect independent contractors, franchisees, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking flexible work options.

“The complexities of our modern economy demand creative, forward-thinking legislation that gives workers and small business owners stability and flexibility,” said Senator Tim Scott. “The Democrats continue to push for legislation that prioritizes politics over people by protecting labor unions at the expense of workers. The Employee Rights Act puts workers back in the driver’s seat by giving them basic protections and the power to choose how to make a living for themselves and build a future for their families. I am grateful to my colleagues who are joining me in this fight to make workers’ voices heard in the halls of Congress.”

The Employee Rights Act of 2022 is co-sponsored by Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Ranking Member Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.).

“Americans increasingly expect their careers to provide them with flexibility, freedom, and the ability to pursue their own goals, especially as we face the highest inflation rates in decades and recover from the unprecedented economic strain of the pandemic,” said Senator Burr. “It’s unfortunate Democratic politicians are attempting to reshape America’s workforce by discriminating against workers who do not wish to join a union. Instead, we should support policies that protect the successful franchise model and gig economy. This legislation does just that by modernizing our labor policies to match the needs of our evolving workforce. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this important legislation that reigns in Washington’s desire to run businesses across the nation and supports innovation and job growth for years to come.”

“When Democrats took control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, they inherited an economic rocket ship ready to take off,” said Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. “Instead, they capitulated to special interests and pushed policies that have smothered the economy. The Employee Rights Act represents the Republican vision for the future of the American workforce: allow growth and innovation among the gig economy workforce; ensure labor laws protect workers, not union bosses; and ensure that Americans take home more of the money they earn.”

“Democrats in Washington have long bowed to the demands of union bosses by prioritizing radical labor policies that harm small businesses and workers,” said Senator Thune. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this common-sense bill that would ensure workers’ rights are protected against coercion from union bosses and provide a much-needed update to labor laws so they are more reflective of the modern economy.”

Representative Rick Allen (R-Ga.), lead Republican on the Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions Subcommittee on the House Education and Labor Committee, is introducing the companion bill in the House.

“Republicans stand with the 21st Century worker, and it’s time to ensure our labor policies do too,” said Representative Allen. “The Employee Rights Act of 2022 protects employees’ privacy, membership dues and the union election process from being abused by union bosses. It also provides all employees, independent contractors and new gig economy workers the necessary protections so they can focus solely on their jobs. Even though Congressional Democrats and Joe Biden have the support of big labor who wrote their wish-list into the PRO Act, our legislation is supported by dozens of national, state and local organizations comprised of workers from across the nation.”

Click here to read the bill in full. 

More than 60 pro-worker, pro-business groups have endorsed the Employee Rights Act. A full list is below:

Alaska Policy Forum
ALEC Action
American Business Conference
American Experiment
American Hotel & Lodging Association
Americans for Prosperity
Americans for Tax Reform
Asian American Hotel Owners Association
Associated Equipment Distributors
Beacon Impact
Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
California Business and Industrial Alliance
California Policy Center
Center for Individual Freedom
Center for Union Facts
Ceramic Tile Distributors Association
The Club for Growth
Commonwealth Foundation
Consumer Technology Association
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste
Family Business Coalition
Foodservice Equipment Distributors Association
Freedom Foundation
FreedomWorks
Goldwater Institute
Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International
Heritage Action for America
Hispanic Leadership Fund
HR Policy Association
International Association of Plastics Distribution
Independent Bakers Association
Independent Electrical Contractors
Independent Women’s Voice
Institute for the American Worker
International Franchise Association
Job Creators Network
The John Locke Foundation
The John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy
Kansas Policy Institute
The Libre Initiative
Littler Workplace Policy Institute
Lubbock Chamber of Commerce
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Metals Service Center Institute
National Association of Electrical Distributors
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors
National Fastener Distributors Association
National Marine Distributors Association
National Ready Mix Concrete Association
National Restaurant Association
National Retail Federation
National Taxpayers Union
Nevada Policy Research Institute
National Federation of Independent Businesses
Open Competition Center
Outdoor Power Equipment and Engine Service Association
Palmetto Promise Institute
Retail Industry Leaders Association
Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
Taxpayers Protection Alliance
Texas Public Policy Foundation
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
60 Plus Association

For additional information on the Employee Rights Act of 2022, read Senator Scott’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal and visit EmployeeRightsAct.com.

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