As March, the month dedicated to women, comes to a close, a Biden administration rule that will hurt women’s economic chances is gaining traction.
Seems paradoxical, doesn’t it?
Shortly before Women’s History Month began this year, President Joe Biden released a proclamation pledging all kinds of big-government “help,” saying in part: “If we want to have the strongest economy in the world, we cannot leave women – half of our workforce – behind.”
That appears to be ok. I would even agree if Biden’s actions didn’t have the opposite effect.
In January, Biden presented the nation with a new Department of Labor rule that will make it far more difficult for businesses to designate people as independent contractors rather than more expensive employees. The rule took effect on March 11.
The law benefits Biden’s union allies who want to unionize as many people as possible, but it’s bad news for millions of Americans (think artists, writers, and Uber drivers) who profit from the freedom and creativity that gig and freelance employment provides.
Women, whether raising children or caring for other family members, are particularly interested in flexible work.
Biden adds to his ‘Bidenomics’ fiasco with this new rule, which throws a hitch in the popular gig economy.
California should’ve been a warning sign
Patrice Onwuka, a senior policy analyst at the Independent Women’s Forum, is deeply concerned about how Biden’s presidency will impact women.
“You look at the number of freelancers, over 70 million of them today, and over half of those are women, and they’re doing it for flexibility and many reasons,” she told me. “I think you see those women losing their opportunities.”
She also discusses the potential impact of the regulation on small women-owned enterprises, as many of these women are self-employed and rely on independent contractors for assistance.
And these are not hypothetical worries. The impact of this type of regulation is evident in California, which passed a similar law four years ago. Since then, it has had to be changed several times, wreaking havoc on the realm of independent work and employment in general.
Trump and Biden continue to blame one other. However, voters want solutions rather than mayhem at the border.
Jennifer Oliver O’Connell, a visiting fellow at the Independent Women’s Forum, is a small company owner and independent contractor who has seen directly how government intervention in this area is destructive. When California’s law went into force, her identity as a writer, reinvention coach, and yoga instructor was “upended,” as she recently stated in The Hill. Oliver O’Connell has since departed California for a more economically free state.
She is now concerned that Biden’s new rule will make it hard for her to continue doing the work she enjoys.
Republicans are on the case
The rule is already being challenged, including legal action by freelancers and big business organizations such as the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Republicans in Congress are attempting to undo the measure by using the Congressional Review Act. California Rep. Kevin Kiley introduced the resolution last month, with more than 50 co-sponsors, and the House workforce committee last week authorized its repeal.
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Unfortunately, even if both the House and Senate approve, Biden has the option to veto it, which he undoubtedly will. Overriding a veto would require majorities in both chambers, which is not currently possible.
Congress is still correct to express its dissatisfaction to the president. And so should the millions of women (and men) who will suffer if this rule is not reversed.
If Biden is truly concerned about women and the economy, he will reconsider this stupid mandate.
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