ATA Champions Legislation for Empowering Today’s Workforce

WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) recently expressed its support for efforts to overturn a labor regulation from the Biden administration during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Nathan Mehrens, ATA’s VP of workforce policy, shared with lawmakers that the institution is in favor of the Labor Department’s current direction toward revisiting how independent contractors are classified.

This month, the department announced it would reassess guidance issued in 2024 regarding worker classification. During this period of review, previous guidelines will not be enforced.

“We’re excited about this change and encourage [the Department of Labor] to act swiftly to reinstate standards from Trump’s first term,” Mehrens stated at the House workforce Protections Subcommittee meeting on May 20. “Frequent changes in regulations create compliance headaches for everyone involved.”

The ATA representative also highlighted a Republican-backed bill designed to bolster support for the independent contractor model established during Trump’s presidency.

The modern Worker Empowerment act

 

This legislation was introduced by Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) earlier this year and seeks to implement a standardized test for determining worker status.

 

“If passed,” Mehrens noted, “this bill would solidify sensible criteria from Trump’s initial term regarding weather someone qualifies as an independent contractor or an employee.”

 

Kiley’s proposal directly counters California’s AB 5 law which sets out specific criteria companies must use when classifying workers as independent contractors.

 

“California’s AB 5 has caused chaos among freelancers by limiting thier ability to work flexibly and forcing businesses to sever ties with contractors,” Kiley remarked upon introducing his bill. He chairs the Early Childhood Education Subcommittee.

 

“By enshrining these protections into law,” he added, “we can safeguard independent workers against future administrative overreach while giving businesses confidence in engaging with today’s adaptable workforce.”

If enacted,ATA believes that the Modern Worker Empowerment Act would reinforce practical standards established during Trump’s presidency. (Nathan Mehrens via LinkedIn)

The ATA also reminded lawmakers about its ongoing opposition towards elements within the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act which proposes changes in federal definitions concerning employees and employers alike. According to Mehrens, “The PRO Act doubles down on California’s flawed AB 5 experiment that threatens many independent contractors’ livelihoods.”

Liya Palagashvili from George Mason University’s Mercatus Center provided insights into America’s evolving labor landscape at this hearing:

“the American workforce is diverse; one size does not fit all! Workers have varying needs and aspirations,” she said. “Rigid employment models fail to capture today’s complex working arrangements.” Many policymakers are attempting overly strict tests that could hinder independence among workers.”

“Work dynamics are shifting—that’s why today’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee meeting focused on empowering our labor force.” check out Chairman @RepMackenzie’s opening remarks here https://t.co/7R1vgqMCnu pic.twitter.com/02oPhyPmqH — House Committee on Education & Workforce (@EdWorkforceCmte) may 20, 2025

The subcommittee chair Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) praised benefits linked with freight industries while criticizing Biden-era rules affecting independent contractors:

“Despite California’s negative outcomes with AB 5 implementation,” Mackenzie explained further “the Biden-Harris administration attempted nationalizing similar policies—leaving around 72 million independents without clarity or consistency.”

Mackenzie elaborated that “the previous rule introduced an intricate six-factor economic realities test complicating how we classify workers based on various factors including skills needed or their role within company success—perhaps increasing federal oversight over our workforce.”

Dissenting voices mostly came from Democrats who raised concerns about past administrations’ approaches towards freelancers:

Dems like Rep Greg Casar (D-Texas), ranking member of subcommittees emphasized supporting genuine independents while acknowledging misclassification issues faced by millions who should be recognized as employees rather: P >