Recognizing the contributions of gig workers and independent contractors to the American economy.

Bill: 117-hres-772
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2021-11-04
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Economic performance and conditions

Labor market

Self-employed

Wages and earnings
Latest action: action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-11-04
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This resolution recognizes the importance of gig workers (i.e., workers hired on a per-project basis) and other independent contractors to the economy.</p>

tv_txt: IV 117th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 772 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 4, 2021 Mr. Issa (for himself, Mr. Rice of South Carolina , Mr. Jackson , Mr. Hagedorn , Mr. Babin , Mrs. Miller of Illinois , Mrs. Hinson , Mr. Fallon , Mr. Norman , Mr. Carter of Georgia , Mr. Obernolte , Mr. Garcia of California , Mr. Lamborn , Mr. Banks , Mrs. Miller of West Virginia , Mr. LaMalfa , Mr. Cole , Mr. Bishop of North Carolina , Mr. Allen , Mr. Calvert , Mr. Nunes , Mrs. Steel , Mr. McClintock , Mr. Valadao , Mr. McCarthy , Mrs. Kim of California , Ms. Stefanik , Mr. Burchett , Mrs. Lesko , Mr. Clyde , Mr. Steube , and Mr. Budd ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Recognizing the contributions of gig workers and independent contractors to the American economy.

Whereas gig workers can be defined as workers who are self-employed, independent contractors, sole proprietors, or nonpermanent workers who are hired on a per-project basis; Whereas gig workers can include, but are not limited to, musicians, lawyers, drivers, computer programmers, writers, and other entrepreneurs; Whereas embracing the gig economy offers workers great freedom and flexibility in their hours, locations, and occupations; Whereas 75 percent of gig workers report their earnings are equal or more than with a more traditional work environment; Whereas the gig economy offers businessowners advantages, such as the ability to hire experts for services not regularly needed or extra workers for busy seasons and lower space costs; Whereas gig workers comprise approximately 36 percent of United States workers, an 8-percent increase from 2019, resulting in roughly 59,000,000 Americans engaging in some type of freelance labor; Whereas gig workers contributed nearly $1.21 trillion to the American economy in 2020; Whereas the number of gig workers has grown exponentially in recent years, with approximately 30,000,000 Americans’ primary income deriving from the gig economy; Whereas 67 percent of gig 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, 50 percent of those aged 18 to 22 and 44 percent of those aged 23 to 38 chose the gig economy over traditional employment; Whereas elected officials and communities have taken actions to end the gig 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 gig 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

That the House of Representatives— (1) recognizes the rising importance of gig workers, freelance laborers, and other independent contractors to the American economy; and (2) recognizes the benefits of gig work to entrepreneurs and individuals seeking flexible hours, locations, and occupations and the benefit of additional income-earning potential.