H.Res. 72: 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 per-project 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;

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;

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