Samuel Clifford

 

1/14/2026

 

H.R. 2262 (Flexibility for Workers Education Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Ashley Hinson (R‑IA‑2) 

 

Purpose: Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to exclude certain training and education activities from “hours worked”, ensuring that employer‑supported instruction does not trigger overtime calculations.

 

Effect: This bill protects employers from overtime liability when workers participate in qualifying education/training. It maintains existing treatment of apprenticeship instruction under 29 C.F.R. §785.32.

 

Bill: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2262/all-info

 

*Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 2270 (Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Mark Messmer (R‑IN‑8) 

 

Purpose: Amends the FLSA to exclude employer‑provided child and dependent‑care services/payments from the regular rate of pay used to compute overtime.

 

Effect: This bill should reduce overtime‑related cost burdens for employers offering dependent‑care benefits and encourage expansion of employer‑provided child and elder care assistance.

 

Bill: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2270

 

*Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 2312 (Tipped Employee Protection Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Steve Womack (R‑AR‑3) 

 

Purpose: This bill redefines what constitutes a tipped employee. Under current law, a tipped employee must regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips to qualify. This bill removes the $30 requirement. Instead, a tipped employee is defined as one who receives tips and cash wages that, when combined, equal or exceed the federal minimum wage.

 

Furthermore, this bill also allows employers to calculate wages over a broader period instead of a strict pay period. This allows more flexibility in ensuring tipped employees meet minimum wage requirements.

 

Firstly, this bill expands workers who qualify as tipped employees which can potentially cover more workers in hospitality and service industries. Secondly, it also provides flexibility in wage calculation, which could help stabilize paychecks. A possible negative effect of the bill is that since wage calculation flexibility could delay recognition of underpayment, weakening workers’ ability to challenge violations quickly.

 

Bill:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2312

 

*Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 2988 (Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Rick W. Allen (R‑GA‑12) 

 

Purpose: Amends ERISA to specify requirements for considering pecuniary vs. non‑pecuniary factors in retirement plan investment decisions.

 

Effect: This bill limits fiduciaries to using financial (pecuniary) factors when selecting investments. It restricts use of ESG‑type non‑financial considerations.

 

Bill: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2988/text

 

*Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 4366 (Save Local Business Act)

 

Sponsor: Rep. James Comer (R‑KY‑1) 

 

Purpose: Clarifies the joint‑employer standard under the NLRA and FLSA. 

 

Effect: Makes employers joint employers only if they directly and actually exercise significant control over essential employment terms.

 

Bill: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4366

 

*Voted Favorably*

 

H.R. 7006 (Financial Services and General Government & National Security Appropriations Act, 2026)

 

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Cole (R‑OK‑4) 

 

Purpose: 

 

Provides FY2026 appropriations for:

 

• Financial Services & General Government
• National Security
• Department of State
• Related programs 

Effect:

• Funds federal agencies and operations for FY2026.
• Includes reporting and accountability requirements for Executive Residence and other entities.

 

Bill: 

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7006/text

 

*Voted Favorably*