IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 72 

Recognizing the contributions of independent workers and contractors to 

the American economy. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JANUARY 30, 2023 

Mr. ISSA (for himself, Mr. MCCLINTOCK, Mr. FALLON, Mr. VALADAO, Mr. 

CARTER of Georgia, Mr. MIKE GARCIA of California, Ms. FOXX, Mrs. 

LESKO, Mrs. STEEL, Mrs. HINSON, Mr. MOOLENAAR, Mr. KILEY, Mr. 

CALVERT, Mrs. MILLER of Illinois, Mr. OBERNOLTE, Mr. LAMALFA, Mr. 

FERGUSON, and Mr. COLE) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the contributions of independent workers and 

contractors to the American economy. 

Whereas independent workers can be defined as workers who 

are self-employed, independent contractors, sole proprietors, or nonpermanent workers who are hired on a perproject basis; 

Whereas independent workers can include, but are not limited 

to, musicians, lawyers, drivers, couriers, computer programmers, writers, and other entrepreneurs; 

Whereas embracing independent work offers workers great 

freedom and flexibility in their hours, locations, and occupations; 


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Whereas technological innovation has enabled more Americans than ever to pursue flexible, independent work, including through app-based platforms; 

Whereas 61 percent of independent workers report their 

earnings are equal or more than with a more traditional 

work environment; 

Whereas the flexible work economy offers business owners advantages, such as the ability to hire experts for services 

not regularly needed or extra workers for busy seasons 

and lower space costs; 

Whereas independent workers comprise approximately 39 

percent of United States workers, a 3-percent increase 

from 2021, resulting in roughly 60,000,000 Americans 

engaging in some type of freelance work; 

Whereas independent workers contributed nearly $1.35 trillion to the American economy in 2022; 

Whereas the number of independent workers has grown exponentially in recent years, with approximately 26 million 

Americans’ primary income deriving from the independent work economy; 

Whereas 67 percent of independent workers reported that 

their jobs prepared them for the uncertainty of the 

COVID–19 pandemic better than those in traditional 

jobs; 

Whereas according to data from 2020, 43 percent of those 

aged 18 to 22 and 46 percent of those aged 23 to 38 

chose the flexible work economy over traditional employment; 

Whereas over 50 percent of the American workforce is projected to participate in the flexible work economy by 

2027; 


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Whereas some elected officials and communities have taken 

actions to end the independent work economy by supporting legislation that would require freelance workers 

to register as traditional employees, removing their freedom and flexibility to work where, when, and how they 

want; and 

Whereas legislation forcing independent workers to classify as 

employees could supersede State laws such as Prop 22 in 

California, which overturned worker classification laws 

and strengthened contractor freedom: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes the rising importance of inde3 pendent workers, app-based earners, freelancers, and 

4 other independent contractors to the American econ5 omy; and 

6 (2) recognizes the benefits of independent work 

7 to entrepreneurs and individuals seeking flexible 

8 hours, locations, and occupations and the benefit of 

9 additional income-earning potential. 

Æ 


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