Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg and Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairman Ryan Mackenzie hosted a roundtable in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The event, titled “The Independent Workforce Speaks: Innovation Through Experience,” brought together community leaders, stakeholders, and independent contractors from the area.
Participants discussed the importance of clear worker classification laws to foster collaboration between businesses and independent contractors for local economic growth. They also highlighted the need for congressional actions such as the Modern Worker Empowerment Act and the provision of portable benefits to support and protect the independent workforce.
Chairman Walberg expressed his satisfaction with the discussions at the roundtable. “I was glad to attend today’s roundtable and hear from Pennsylvania’s independent contractors firsthand,” he stated. He emphasized that Americans want to protect freelance work models and empower independent workers, contrasting Republican policies with what he described as a “radical anti-worker agenda” from the Biden-Harris administration.
Rep. Mackenzie welcomed Chairman Walberg to the Greater Lehigh Valley for this event. He noted that flexible work arrangements are fostering innovation and opportunity, allowing workers like freelancers, contractors, or app-based earners to build careers on their own terms. “Our policies should protect that choice and reflect the reality of modern work,” said Mackenzie. He mentioned that provisions like eliminating taxes on tips are included in the House budget to empower independent workers and strengthen local communities.
