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H.R. 7117 116th Congress House

Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act

Official title: To require employers to pay essential pay to health care employees during public health emergencies, and to provide a tax credit for the cost of such pay.

Introduced: June 4, 2020 Introduced by: Bonnie Watson Coleman Democratic · New Jersey See on congress.gov
Taxation AppropriationsCardiovascular and respiratory healthDisability assistanceDisaster relief and insurance
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Emergency medical services and trauma careEmployment taxesGovernment trust fundsHealth personnelIncome tax creditsInfectious and parasitic diseasesLabor standardsSocial security and elderly assistanceWages and earnings
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 4, 2020
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 4, 2020
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 4, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act

This bill requires employers to pay essential health care employees a premium amount in addition to their regular rate of pay during an emergency period. It also allows employers a payroll tax credit for the payment of such enhanced wages to essential employees.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 738 Reintroduced Bill Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act
  • HR 6484 Hazard Pay for the Frontlines During Health Emergencies Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 13
All 13 Democratic 9
Vela, Filemon
· Jul 1, 2020
 D
Barragán, Nanette Diaz
California · Jun 4, 2020
 D
Beatty, Joyce
Ohio · Jun 4, 2020
 D
Carson, André
Indiana · Jun 4, 2020
 D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Jun 4, 2020
ENGEL, ELIOT
· Jun 4, 2020
 D
Green, Al
Texas · Jun 4, 2020
 D
Hayes, Jahana
Connecticut · Jun 4, 2020
Jackson Lee, Sheila
· Jun 4, 2020
 D
Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria
New York · Jun 4, 2020
Richmond, Cedric
· Jun 4, 2020
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Jun 4, 2020
 D
Tlaib, Rashida
Michigan · Jun 4, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 7117: Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7117/
MLA
"H.R. 7117: Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7117/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 7117, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7117/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 7117: Essential Pay for Essential Workers Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-7117/)
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