WASHINGTON—Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Co-Chairs Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed an amendment introduced by the CPC to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act to disqualify certain federal contracts to any corporation that committed wage theft or other violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
“The House of Representatives stood up for federal contract workers today, protecting them from wage theft and ensuring the federal government will lead the way to fairer labor standards for all Americans. No working American should ever worry that her employer might steal a part of her paycheck, especially if she works for a contractor paid by the federal government.
“Sometimes employers ask workers to show up 30 minutes before their shift starts, while others pay workers with debit cards that charge fees for every use. It doesn’t matter which form it takes—wage theft is wrong and it needs to stop.
“We’re glad our Republican colleagues joined the Progressive Caucus in this step to protect Americans working for federal contractors.”
