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119th Congress
Independent · Nonpartisan · Reader-supported
SENATES. 4919· 119th Congress

Wage Theft Prevention and Recovery Act

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act

Sponsor
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Introduced
Jun 24, 2026
Last Action
Jun 24, 2026
Passage
18%
Introduced
Jun 24, 2026
2
Committee
3
Floor Vote
4
Both Chambers
5
Enacted
01 — The Text

What.

  • Bill targets wage theft—when employers withhold or fail to pay workers earned wages—though specific enforcement mechanisms aren't yet public.
  • Likely creates tools for workers to recover stolen wages and penalties for violating employers, based on title and committee referral.
  • Detailed policy language unavailable; official summary not yet published by Congressional Research Service.
02 — The Stakes

So what?

  • Workers who lose pay due to employer violations gain a path to recover money owed, addressing a widespread but often unreported problem.
  • Small businesses face potential new compliance obligations and liability; large employers with existing payroll violations face enforcement risk.
  • Low-wage workers—who experience wage theft at highest rates—stand to benefit most if enforcement is resourced and accessible.
03 — The Path

Now what?

  • Bill sits in Senate health and labor committee; no floor vote scheduled yet. Committee review typically takes months.
  • With 25 cosponsors, bill has bipartisan interest, though passage isn't assured without committee advancement and floor debate.
  • Contact your senator if wage theft affects you or your community; ask their stance on worker wage recovery protections.
Legislative History

Actions.

  • Jun 24, 2026Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • Jun 24, 2026Introduced in Senate