Janice Schakowsky (D-IL)
Patriotic Corporations of America Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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
The bill, known as the "Patriotic Corporations of America Act of 2026," introduces new requirements and preferences for companies seeking federal contracts and Department of Defense contracts. It sets strict labor, environmental, tax, and market standards that businesses must meet to qualify for government contracts. Companies must pay minimum wages tied to specific indexes, offer paid leave, and agree to neutrality regarding labor unions. Additionally, the legislation places restrictions on private equity firms and creates contract preferences for businesses that meet certain pro-worker and pro-environment practices.
Yes· 3 of 28
- Scored +7
Would union members be better off under this?
Union neutrality agreements and strike replacement bans significantly strengthen labor organizing rights.
- Scored +7
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
Contractors are required to sign neutrality agreements regarding labor organization and agree not to hire replacement workers during strikes.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The wage floor of $15 or higher directly boosts low-income workers on federal projects.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Strict contracting prerequisites and restrictions on private equity and stock buybacks impose heavy operational burdens.
- Scored -3
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
Limitations on dividends, executive pay ratios, and stock buybacks restrict wealth extraction and corporate maneuvers.
- Scored -3
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
Restrictions on private equity fee-charging and corporate consolidation limit financial structuring options.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Section 4715(a)(1) and Section 3310(a)(1): These sections require contractors to pay employees a wage of at least $15 (adjusted annually) or a wage based on the Fair Labor Standards Act plus 10 percent. This is positive because it ensures workers on federal and defense contracts receive a higher baseline income.
-
Section 4715(a)(4) and Section 3310(a)(4): These provisions require employers to provide at least 7 days of paid sick leave, 7 days of paid family and medical leave, and 7 days of paid vacation per year. This benefits workers by granting them paid time off to care for their health and families without losing income.
-
Section 4715(a)(6) and Section 3310(a)(6): Contractors are required to submit actionable plans for natural disasters and health crises, including provisions for essential worker pay, quarantine pay, whistleblower protections, and protective equipment. This is a positive outcome for workers' safety and security during emergencies.
-
Section 4715(a)(8) and Section 3310(a)(8): For contracts valued over $100,000,000, offerors must submit a plan to meet the child care needs of their workforce. This helps working parents access necessary child care support.
-
Section 4716(a)(3) and Section 3311(a)(3): The bill provides contract preferences for offerors that have at least one seat on their Board of Directors for a representative elected by the employees. This gives workers a direct voice in company leadership.
-
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Section 4715(c) and Section 3310(c): The bill prohibits executive agencies from awarding contracts to offerors that do not maintain headquarters in the United States or whose Federal income tax liability does not exceed their tax credits. While intended to target tax avoidance, this could disqualify certain businesses and disrupt supply chains for government projects.
-
Section 4715(d) and Section 3310(d): These sections place heavy restrictions on private equity firms, including banning them from charging management and monitoring fees to the offeror and restricting dividend payments. This could make it difficult for private equity-backed companies to bid on federal work, potentially limiting competition for government contracts.
-
Section 4715(e) and Section 3310(e): Offerors must agree not to acquire a competitor or rival for one to two years following the close of a federal contract if it lessens competition. This restriction may burden businesses by limiting their growth and corporate restructuring strategies.
-
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 union members be better off under this? — Union neutrality agreements and strike replacement bans significantly strengthen labor organizing rights. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The wage floor of $15 or higher directly boosts low-income workers on federal projects. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Contract preferences encourage diversity in executive leadership and actionable recruitment plans for people of color. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Diversity and inclusion requirements in contractor hiring and executive boards benefit minority workers. Would children be better off under this? — Mandated child care planning by large contractors benefits families and children. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Actionable plans for recruitment and promotion of people of color expand professional opportunities. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Contractor requirements explicitly mandate actionable plans to recruit and promote LGBTQ+ individuals. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged workers benefit from required paid sick and family leave policies. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Mandatory paid family leave, sick leave, and vacation improve standard benefits for middle-class employees. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Diversity initiatives and equal opportunity standards create wider access to federal contracting jobs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Requirements support the inclusion and employment transition of individuals with disabilities into competitive roles. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Contractors must submit actionable plans to recruit and promote veterans. Would women be better off under this? — Mandated paid family leave and executive diversity targets support women in the workforce. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Younger workers benefit from minimum wage increases and enhanced labor protections. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protections regarding underfunded pensions for private equity-backed firms help secure retirement stability. Would students be better off under this? — Apprenticeship equal opportunity programs create structured pathways into skilled work. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Requirements limiting excessive executive pay ratios and tax compliance rules reduce favorable financial conditions for top earners. Would business owners be better off under this? — Strict contracting prerequisites and restrictions on private equity and stock buybacks impose heavy operational burdens. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Limitations on dividends, executive pay ratios, and stock buybacks restrict wealth extraction and corporate maneuvers. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Restrictions on private equity fee-charging and corporate consolidation limit financial structuring options.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make child care cost less? — Large federal and defense contractors are required to submit plans to meet the child care needs of their workforce. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The legislation encourages transitioning individuals with disabilities to competitive integrated employment opportunities. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill provides contracting preferences for companies ensuring gender diversity among top executives and boards. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Mandated wage increases and mandatory paid leave benefit low-income workers employed by federal contractors. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Contract preferences are provided for offerors with diverse executive leadership and actionable recruitment plans for people of color.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — Contractors are required to sign neutrality agreements regarding labor organization and agree not to hire replacement workers during strikes. Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay? — The bill establishes a baseline minimum wage of $15 or higher for employees of federal and defense contractors. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill includes artificial intelligence controls and transparency requirements for federal contractors.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Federal contractors are barred from receiving awards if they have major environmental violations or penalties.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Contractors must publicly disclose political contributions, executive pay ratios, and tax information.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill imposes specific artificial intelligence safety, transparency, and misinformation controls on contractors.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Contractors are expected to comply with frameworks such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
- 9/16/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas