WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Independent Women’s Voice (IWV) applauds Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) for introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Department of Labor’s final classification rule which will impose greater restrictions on independent contractors. If enacted on March 11, the rule will devastate the gig economy and make it difficult for millions of Americans to maintain their independent status regardless of whether they prefer or need to be independent workers. 

Independent contractors nationwide may be reclassified as employees resulting in mass job losses, lost income, and small business failures. Similar legislation passed in California (AB5) decimated opportunities for independent contractors in the state. Self-employment, gig work, and freelancing will be changed for the worse because of this new rule. 

Patrice Onwuka, senior policy analyst at IWV and director of the Center for Economic Opportunity at the Independent Women’s Forum, said: “We applaud Senator Cassidy and Representative Kiley for introducing this Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the Department of Labor’s devastating new independent contractor rule. This is a must-pass measure to preserve flexibility and worker freedom in America. The livelihoods of millions of freelancers and independent professionals are at stake. Women, older workers, students, and disabled Americans, who depend on flexibility, will see opportunities to work on their schedules disappear because of this ill-advised rule.” 

Karen Anderson, a visiting fellow at Independent Women’s Forum and the founder of Freelancers Against AB5, said: “Just as with California’s notorious AB5 law, the new DOL rule is a one-size-fits-all policy that seeks to restrict independent contracting nationwide across all manner of professions. In California, AB5 has destroyed the livelihoods of independent professionals in more than 600 categories, everyone from transcribers, tutors and dog walkers to nurse anesthetists, indie-film producers, theatrical performers and event planners.  In similar fashion, the DOL rule will cast a chilling effect on self-employment opportunities for millions of Americans who rely on independent contracting to earn a living.”

IWV calls on lawmakers to support CRA efforts to protect independent contractors across the nation.

Fellows at IWF’s Center for Economic Opportunity calling to protect independent contractors from the disastrous DOL rule: 

  • Patrice Onwuka discusses Biden’s war on working women in the New York Post.
  • Karen Anderson writes in the Daily Caller about the new DOL rule going to war against freelancers.
  • IWF Fellow at the Center for Economic Opportunity Jennifer Oliver O’Connell penned a letter in the New York Times calling to protect the rights of independent contractors. 
  • Oliver O’Connel writes in The Hill that the new DOL rule is California’s damaging gig workers law now going nationwide. 
  • Whitney Munro, senior adviser for Independent Women’s Forum, writes in USA Today on how the DOL rule wages war on workers, women and entrepreneurs. 

###

www.iwv.org 

Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.