A Democratic bill with 17 Democratic cosponsors · See all 17 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
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 Reward Work Act aims to prohibit public companies from repurchasing their own equity securities on a national securities exchange. It also requires that at least one-third of a company's board of directors be chosen by employees through a one-employee-one-vote election process. This change is required before a company can register securities on a national exchange. The Securities and Exchange Commission is tasked with creating regulations to ensure these elections are fair and democratic. These regulations must ensure the board composition requirements are met within two years of the Act's enactment.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +6
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill provides workers with direct democratic power to elect one-third of a company's board of directors.
- Scored +5
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
The bill strengthens worker influence by requiring a democratic election process for one-third of corporate board members.
- Scored +2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill shifts corporate governance power toward employees rather than shareholders.
The opposite· 3 of 6
- Scored -5
Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this?
The ban on repurchasing equity securities removes a major mechanism for increasing the value of large stock holdings.
- Scored -5
Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this?
The bill restricts the ability of issuers to manipulate stock prices through buybacks, affecting wealthy investors.
- Scored -5
Would billionaires be better off under this?
The prohibition on equity repurchases reduces the efficiency of common capital return strategies used by those with large equity stakes.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Employee Voice in Governance: Under Section 3, employees can elect at least one-third of their company's board of directors through a one-s-one-vote process, providing a specific mechanism for worker representation on corporate boards.
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Democratic Oversight: Section 3(c) directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to create regulations that ensure director elections at issuing firms are fair and democratic.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restriction on Corporate Financial Actions: Under Section 2(b), issuers are prohibited from purchasing an equity security of the issuer on a national securities exchange, which removes the ability to conduct certain stock buybacks.
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? — The bill provides workers with direct democratic power to elect one-third of a company's board of directors. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill shifts corporate governance power toward employees rather than shareholders. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Empowering employees through board elections may align corporate interests more closely with worker needs. Would billionaires be better off under this? — The prohibition on equity repurchases reduces the efficiency of common capital return strategies used by those with large equity stakes. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — The ban on repurchasing equity securities removes a major mechanism for increasing the value of large stock holdings. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — The bill restricts the ability of issuers to manipulate stock prices through buybacks, affecting wealthy investors. Would high-income households be better off under this? — The prohibition on stock buybacks limits a significant way high-income shareholders realize value through equity increases. Would business owners be better off under this? — The mandate requires a significant change to corporate governance structures and restricts financial flexibility.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill strengthens worker influence by requiring a democratic election process for one-third of corporate board members. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The prohibition on stock buybacks restricts a common method used by companies to return capital to shareholders.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates SEC regulations to ensure employee-led director elections are fair and democratic.
- 6/29/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 6/10/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/9/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/4/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/19/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 5/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/11/2026
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 4/30/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey