A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to ban paying garment industry employees by piece rate, requiring hourly rates instead while still permitting incentive-based bonuses. It holds brand guarantors jointly and severally liable with employers for violations unless they show no knowledge of the violation. The legislation establishes a registration requirement with the Department of Labor for all garment manufacturers and contractors. It creates an Office of the Garment Industry headed by an Undersecretary to oversee these registrations and enforcement. Finally, it establishes a national domestic garment manufacturing support program to award competitive grants for training, equipment, and facility improvements.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Prohibiting piece rate pay and requiring predictable hourly wages directly improves income stability for low-income garment workers.
- Scored +4
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes grants for entities with workforces covered by collective bargaining agreements and promotes labor organization partnerships.
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Domestic garment manufacturing support grants provide up to $5,000,000 per eligible entity for investments in training, equipment, and facility improvements.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for grant programs and millions more to establish the Office of the Garment Industry.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 2: Prohibiting employers from paying garment industry workers by the piece rate and requiring hourly pay ensures workers receive a predictable and steady minimum hourly wage.
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Section 3: Requiring garment manufacturers and contractors to register with the Department of Labor, provide photographic verification of owners, and show proof of workers' compensation insurance helps protect workers and hold businesses accountable.
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Section 5: Establishing the national domestic garment manufacturing support program provides grant funding of up to $5,000,000 per entity for investments in training, workforce development, tools, equipment, and health and safety improvements in facilities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 3: The Secretary may impose a civil money penalty of up to $50,000,000 against any person who violates the registration requirements under this section, which is a massive financial burden for noncompliant businesses.
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Section 5: Eligible entities that receive grant funds must return unused amounts if the Secretary determines they violated any provision of the Act, which could create financial instability for organizations facing compliance disputes.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Prohibiting piece rate pay and requiring predictable hourly wages directly improves income stability for low-income garment workers. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes grants for entities with workforces covered by collective bargaining agreements and promotes labor organization partnerships. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Hispanic Americans make up a significant portion of the garment manufacturing workforce and will benefit from enhanced labor standards and wage protections. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Immigrants represent a substantial share of the domestic garment workforce and are provided stronger protections and accountability measures against wage violations. Would women be better off under this? — Women comprise a large majority of garment industry employees and will benefit from guaranteed hourly pay and safer working conditions. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Many garment industry workers are young adults who will benefit directly from guaranteed hourly minimum wages instead of piece rates.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Domestic garment manufacturing support grants provide up to $5,000,000 per eligible entity for investments in training, equipment, and facility improvements. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Registration and accountability requirements for garment manufacturers and brand guarantors help ensure compliance with labor standards and protect workers. Is this likely to create jobs? — Establishing the national domestic garment manufacturing support program and grants provides funding for facility improvements and workforce development that can stimulate employment. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Support programs and grants for domestic garment manufacturers promote investment in tools, equipment, and facility upgrades. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for grant programs and millions more to establish the Office of the Garment Industry.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation creates a new Office of the Garment Industry within the Department of Labor, establishes federal registration requirements, and imposes substantial federal civil penalties. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requiring garment manufacturers and contractors to register, provide ownership information, and maintain detailed records improves transparency in the supply chain.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Banning piece rate pay in favor of hourly minimum wages ensures garment workers receive predictable and steady wages, helping to lift low-income workers out of poverty.
- 9/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 8 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan