Expressing support for Americas Black workers and affirming the need to pass legislation to reduce inequalities and discrimination in the workforce.

Bill Number

H.Res. 170

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-07-21T19:44:15Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

H. Res. 170 is a non-binding House resolution that expresses support for Black workers in the United States. It highlights historical and ongoing challenges faced by Black workers, such as discrimination, wage gaps, and unequal access to education and job opportunities. The resolution calls for passing laws to address these issues and promote fairness in the workforce, emphasizing the role of Black labor in the nation's economic success.

Key Provisions Outlined

The resolution consists of introductory "Whereas" clauses that provide background facts and then four main "Resolved" statements:

• Support for reducing inequalities: It backs efforts to close wage and unemployment gaps for Black workers and improve access to job training, career development programs, and education.
• Affirmation of worker rights: It endorses the right of all workers, regardless of race or ethnicity, to fair pay, safe workplaces, the ability to form unions (collective bargaining), and protection from discrimination.
• Endorsement of specific legislation: It urges passage of bills to improve labor conditions, including:
• The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act (strengthens union rights and protections against employer interference).
• The National Apprenticeship Act (expands paid apprenticeship programs for skills training).
• The Raise the Wage Act (increases the federal minimum wage).
• The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (reauthorizes and updates programs for job training and employment services).
• Recognition of Black workers' contributions: It acknowledges the historical and ongoing importance of Black workers to U.S. prosperity and economic security, stressing the need for better opportunities for individual and national well-being.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

This resolution introduces no changes to existing law. As a House resolution, it is symbolic and does not have the force of law; it serves only to state the House's position and encourage future legislative action.

Potential Impacts

• On government agencies: It may prompt congressional committees (e.g., Education and the Workforce) to prioritize related bills, potentially leading to hearings or votes on the endorsed legislation. Federal agencies like the Department of Labor could see increased focus on enforcement of anti-discrimination and training programs.
• On citizens: Black workers and families may benefit indirectly through heightened awareness and potential future laws improving wages, safety, and job access. It could inspire broader workforce equity efforts, benefiting all workers by promoting fairer labor standards.
• On international relations: No direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. commitments to domestic equity, which could align with global standards on labor rights and anti-discrimination.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Black workers and communities: Primary beneficiaries, addressing issues like higher unemployment (3 percentage points above the national average as of 2023), lower earnings (87% of average weekly median for full-time workers), workplace injuries, and discrimination.
• Labor unions and advocates: Supported through endorsements of union rights and organizing protections; Black workers are noted as key participants in labor movements.
• Employers and businesses: Potentially affected by calls for higher minimum wages, stronger anti-discrimination rules, and expanded apprenticeships, which could increase compliance costs but also build a more skilled workforce.
• Educational institutions and youth programs: Encourages affordable access to high school, vocational training, apprenticeships, community colleges, and work-study options, especially for Black youth.
• Women and families: Highlights disproportionate impacts on Black women (e.g., earning 69 cents for every dollar paid to White non-Hispanic men).
• Congress and policymakers: Sponsors (a bipartisan group of representatives) and the House as a whole, signaling political priorities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: No binding effects, but it reinforces existing frameworks like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (which bans workplace discrimination based on race). Endorsed bills, if passed, could expand these protections.
• Constitutional: Aligns with the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment by promoting racial equity without creating new mandates; it avoids direct constitutional challenges.
• Political: Represents a progressive stance on racial and economic justice, potentially galvanizing support for Democratic-led labor reforms in the 119th Congress. As a referred resolution (to the Committee on Education and the Workforce), it could influence partisan debates on issues like minimum wage and unions, especially amid ongoing discussions on workforce diversity and economic recovery. Its bipartisan sponsorship (including Republicans like Mr. Carter of Louisiana) suggests potential for cross-aisle appeal.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

Cosponsors (19)

Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Bynum, Janelle [D-OR-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-02-27: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Expressing support for Americas Black workers and affirming the need to pass legislation to reduce inequalities and discrimination in the workforce. — issued 2025-02-27 — PDF (4 pages)