Flex Statement | Senate HELP Committee Hearing – Freedom to Work: Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers

Flex praises the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee for its upcoming hearing, Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers, which will explore options for benefit supports that move with individuals regardless of how or where they work. 

Innovation has opened the door to more flexible ways for people to earn income—when, where, and how they choose. But our current legal framework ties workplace benefits to traditional employment relationships.

“Portable benefits offer a promising path forward,” said Kristin Sharp, CEO of Flex. “There’s growing bipartisan recognition that we can expand benefit access without forcing a binary choice between employment and independence. We’re encouraged to see thoughtful efforts aimed at supporting workers who need and want flexibility.”

Thursday’s hearing will delve into a package of proposed legislation introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rand Paul (R-KY), Tim Scott (R-SC) the week of July 7, including:

• The Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act, which would establish a safe harbor under federal law for companies that would like to voluntarily provide benefits.
• The Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which gives workers clarity and consistency by instituting a single employment test under federal law. 
• The Association Health Plans Act, which increases affordable health coverage options to millions of self-employed Americans and employees of small businesses.
• The Independent Retirement Fairness Act, which empowers independent workers to participate in retirement plans.

“We appreciate Senators Cassidy and Scott and their ongoing leadership to support independent workers,” added Sharp. “The bills introduced last week are significant steps toward removing some of the legal barriers that hinder extending benefits to independent contractors, and simplifying the federal regulatory landscape for the millions of Americans who choose flexible, independent work. Flex looks forward to continuing to work with Senators Cassidy, Scott, and others as we pursue practical solutions—at both the federal and state levels—to ensure workers don’t have to sacrifice flexibility to do the kind of work they prefer.”

CONTACT:       

media@flexassociation.org

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About Flex: Flex is the voice of the app-based economy, representing America's leading app-based rideshare and delivery platforms and the people who count on them. Our member companies — DoorDash, Grubhub, HopSkipDrive, Instacart, Lyft, Shipt and Uber— help provide access to crucial goods and services to customers safely and efficiently, offer flexible earning opportunities to workers and support economic growth in communities across the country.