Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar Opening Remarks at 7th Hearing on AI’s Impact on Workers’ Rights

Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar Opening Remarks at 7th Hearing on AI's Impact on Workers' Rights

WASHINGTON - Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at today's subcommittee hearing entitled, "Building an AI-Ready America: Understanding AI's Economic Impact on Workers and Employers."

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for joining us today.

"Today marks the seventh hearing this Committee has held on artificial intelligence (AI) this Congress.

"To put things into perspective, here is a list of issues in our jurisdiction that we haven't held even a single hearing on- the healthcare workforce shortage, plummeting wages, school meal access, fair scheduling practices, wage theft, worker misclassification, gig economy protections, heat stress, and child labor prevention.

"And is this singular focus even amounting to anything? After seven AI hearings, Committee Republicans have not produced a single plan or bill to protect workers from AI risks.

"Republicans also have no plan to tackle the current cost-of-living crisis. President Trump's reckless policies and Congressional Republicans' 'Big, Ugly Bill' are only making things worse.

"Millions of working families are struggling to afford rent, groceries, and gas. Many working-class Americans are being forced to dip into their retirement savings or sell their plasma to help pay their bills.

"And AI has the very real potential to deepen this economic hardship and inequality. Congress cannot stand on the sidelines and hope that corporations are going to do the right thing for workers.

"For example, more companies are using automated technologies to constantly monitor their workers: from tracking their bathroom breaks to checking the tone of their voice. Some employers have even used AI-powered tools as a weapon to retaliate against workers who might want to unionize.

"These AI tools are also becoming widespread in the employment process, with more cases of AI-enabled discrimination in hiring.

"Despite instances of AI labor abuses, there have been successful efforts to keep this technology in check. Labor unions have been at the frontlines in this fight by using their power to bargain over working conditions to prevent the reckless use of AI and guarantee that workers have a voice in its development and implementation.

"Additionally, some states have stepped up to protect workers by passing their own guardrails on the use of AI. But instead of holding tech companies accountable, the Trump Administration is actively undermining these states' AI laws and looking to pass legislation to preempt any regulation.

"As critical as it is to establish new guardrails on AI, we also cannot forget about enforcing our existing worker protection laws. While AI may be new, there is no AI loophole for wage theft, union-busting, and antidiscrimination laws.

"Agencies like the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor have the duty and the power to protect workers during the rise of AI, but they need more resources. Unfortunately, these agencies have been hollowed out by the Trump Administration's vicious campaign to slash the federal workforce. And in his latest budget, Trump is also proposing to cut funding for these severely understaffed agencies.

"If we are going to uplift working Americans, a bold pro-worker AI agenda must help more workers join unions, place appropriate limits on AI, safeguard worker privacy, and enforce worker protections.

"At the end of the day, AI is a tool. Whether this tool will benefit corporations and their wealthy executives or the working class and the middle class is a policy choice. It is up to Congress to make the right choice-and that starts with centering American workers, their livelihoods, and their well-being.

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back."

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