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 propri-
etors, or nonpermanent workers who are hired on a per- 
project basis; 
Whereas independent workers can include, but are not limited 
to, musicians, lawyers, drivers, couriers, computer pro-
grammers, writers, and other entrepreneurs; 
Whereas embracing independent work offers workers great 
freedom and flexibility in their hours, locations, and occu-
pations; 
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•HRES 72 IH 
Whereas technological innovation has enabled more Ameri-
cans than ever to pursue flexible, independent work, in-
cluding 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 ad-
vantages, 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 tril-
lion to the American economy in 2022; 
Whereas the number of independent workers has grown expo-
nentially in recent years, with approximately 26 million 
Americans’ primary income deriving from the inde-
pendent 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 employ-
ment; 
Whereas over 50 percent of the American workforce is pro-
jected to participate in the flexible work economy by 
2027; 
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•HRES 72 IH 
Whereas some elected officials and communities have taken 
actions to end the independent work economy by sup-
porting legislation that would require freelance workers 
to register as traditional employees, removing their free-
dom 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 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the rising importance of inde-
pendent workers, app-based earners, freelancers, and 
other independent contractors to the American econ-
omy; and 
(2) recognizes the benefits of independent work 
to entrepreneurs and individuals seeking flexible 
hours, locations, and occupations and the benefit of 
additional income-earning potential. 
Æ 
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