• 25 years ago, my husband and I were independent contractors in the financial services industry. Not only traveling throughout the state of Texas, but also in Michigan, California, New York, New Jersey, places, and Virginia. Very liberal states. But at the same time we found people just like us that wanted freedom and opportunity to build something for their children and grandchildren. At the same time, we were very active in politics.

  We went to every county and state, Republican convention voting for the right-to-work laws. Little did we know that they would ever be threatened. We just thought we were making a principled vote. Today, that is in jeopardy.

  Many independent contractors. Do not know what is facing them. Please, do not let this get away from us or take it for granted. Right now is the time to make sure that we encourage any Senator org unit, and our congressmen that we can vote no for this egregious, bill that threatens to reduce freedom to the American contractor and freelancer. Please please take a stand. Thank you.
  – Jane C.

• My name is Glen. I currently do code review for the drafting company that I used to own. As an independent contractor I can work early or late. I can take time in the middle of the day to meet with subcontractors working on my retirement home remodel. The goal is to be able to work part-time from either my winter home in FL or my summer home in PA. If I was an hourly employee I would be stuck in Florida all year or forced to not work at all.
  – Glen M.
• Hello, my name is Barbara. I’m 81 years old. I’ve had my own business since the age of 42. I have been a consultant with a cosmetic firm and I have really enjoyed it because I could work it around my two young teens that were growing up and my husband who had regular work hours.

  This has been very helpful to us as a family. I have been able to make the extra income that we needed and I was able to set my own hours. I had no boss. I had no quotas.

  There was no one who had control over me – only me. I did not have to report to someone else. I did have lots of support in the group that I work with.
  And I’d just like to say, it’s not fair that people would be stopping from working when that is what they want to do.
  – Barbara

• I am a professional artist who owns my own business and creates fine art paintings. (I am also an educator who has chosen not to join my teacher’s union, because I disagree with many of their political agendas.) My father works as a contractor and runs his own business, as did his father before him. I have countless friends who run their own businesses– either as a side gig, or as their full-time employment and means to provide for their families. The PRO Act is designed to undermine entrepreneurial Americans and their businesses, in favor of unions. We must stand up for our right to make a living by following our passions, creativity, and high work ethic. Make our voices heard, that we want our representatives to vote NO for the PRO Act!!!
  – Sarah Hamill

• My name is Lahlon Pace. I’m semi-retired but I still have a job working as a valet driver for different automobile dealerships.
  I work the number of hours that I want, and when I want. If I want to take a day off, that’s fine. It doesn’t provide a lot, but it supplements my Social Security, which I could not live on alone.I hope that Congress will recognize the millions of Americans that will lose income if this act passes. Please vote no.
  – Vance Pace

• I am retired, but have a daughter that owns a hair salon. Thanks to her participation in the Dave Ramsey program she made it through the shut-down (she lives in Wisconsin). During that time, she closed her salon and moved to a different building where she spent that time preparing to re-open. Each stylist has their own “office” completely independent of the rest and it has worked out very well. I realize not all businesses can be that lucrative, but for those that can it’s a good choice.
  – Shirley Kuester

• I am home on FMLA taking care of my daughter who is disabled and has a lot of medical issues. She is 31 years old and needs 24 hour care. I take care of her and my grandson who is 12 years old. My hope is to be able to stay home now and work as a freelancer at home. I am 60 years old. Working at home would allow me another career while taking care of my family at home.
  – Cynthia Davis

• I pretty much raised three children as an independent contractor. Daycare took half my check every two weeks. In my own business, my hours are more flexible. Independent contracting allows single parents to support their family in every way because they can be there for them. It gives freedom to people to make a good living and do it in the hours that work for them.
  – G Maw S.

• Thirteen years ago I moved to a small town in Missouri. There was very little work and being from out of town it was hard to even get an interview. I attended cosmetology school and created my own opportunity by being an independent contractor in a small salon. We are all self-employed. That being said, I nor my fellow cosmetologist cannot afford more regulation.
  – Mary E. Davis, West Plains, MO.

• I have worked as an independent contractor since 2003 and have benefited from the flexibility it has provided. I first worked as a HUD Housing Counselor with Lincoln Action Program providing help to those who were behind on their mortgage and new home-owner education.My next independent contract work was with a homeschool organization where I served as a Tutor, Support Representative and Area Representative. I was able to homeschool my children and also grow in my leadership skills all while earning money to support my family.I am now currently working as an Independent Contractor for a transcription company. As with my other IC gigs, the flexibility has been a blessing to me and my family. While I do not receive the benefits of a traditional employee, I am willing to forgo those benefits for the ability to work when I want and for who I want. Government should not be able to dictate who I can and cannot work for. They should allow workers to seek out a livelihood that meets their family’s needs.
  – Donna Ramsey

• I am 57 years old and am trying to earn a living as a notary signing agent. I am currently completing background checks, buying equipment, taking courses and studying for tests to certify me in this field. I want to be my own boss and run my own business without government interference. Thank you for that freedom!
  – Karen Gonzales

• All of my adult life I’ve had “regular” jobs that usually pay the rent and bills. But sometimes I come up short.For the last almost 30 years I have supplemented my income by being a high school referee. With this money, I’ve been able to pay off large bills, set some aside for vacations, or just make extra payments on credit cards.Please allow workers like me to continue supplementing or relying on gig and/or independent work to make ends meet.
  – Dawn Willian

• In 1984, my husband and I each had high profile jobs with insane hours and demands. After a number of years, we started our own design firm and have a thriving business 32 years later.We have a strong reputation in our industry and among our current and past clients.I can’t believe my elected officials would try to put us out of business and immiserate a whole family. Unbelievable.
  – Anne Storm
• As an independent contractor I have been a freelance translator & interpreter in California for 20 years. It took me 20 years of hard work to build up my clientele, and one signature to lose it all on January 1, 2020, by Labor Code § 2750.3 (“AB-5”). The effects of AB-5 have been devastating on our industry, on millions who are now left without language services, and on me personally. None of my 50+ agency clients will hire me as an employee, and I will no longer be contracted to service my clients as an independent contractor unless I get incorporated or leave California. If the “Protecting the Right to Organize” Act (H.R.842, “PRO Act”) passes, I would be forced to leave the country, which is ironic given that I am a legal immigrant, naturalized citizen.
  – Ildkiko

• I am an Independent Contractor, and I travel to Malls all over Illinois as a retail merchandiser.My job has given me the flexibility to work when I want to that fits my needs. I am unable to do long periods of standing or bending up and down. Because of that I can choose my jobs and the amount of time it takes to get it done makes my choices matter. My job has allowed me to help my husband with his small business when he needs a last minute or emergency.Being Independent allows me the freedom to earn income so that we can work as a family successfully. Please say no to the PRO Act. It will take away my job.
  – Candace Madsen

• I left New York State two years ago. Part of that decision was the ever increasing interference by the state into private lives and small businesses.I have a small face and body art business that includes henna, face paint, temporary tattoos, and other skin art. Occasionally I have a gig with a large enough attendance that I need an extra person.This legislation would limit my ability to accept larger jobs or force me to be burdened with expenses that would make my prices impractical for my clients.
  – Stephanie, KiDooodle
• For 10 years, I worked as a freelance writer in addition to working a full-time job. My employers took advantage of me repeatedly, and there was no opportunity for upward mobility. When I quit my full-time job and pursued freelance writing full-time, I almost quadrupled my pre-tax income within a year.Freelancing has given me greater financial security than I ever saw as an employee. I am in charge of my rates and my contracts, and I decide which projects I want to take on.As a single female homeowner with a chronic illness, traditional employment wasn’t designed for me. Freelancing has given me control of my life and career. Traveling into an office isn’t practical and is sometimes unsafe because of my condition. By freelancing, I set the schedule that my health needs, and I enjoy better health because of that.Freelancing has empowered me to buy my first house without any financial assistance. I can now afford better health insurance, I am finally working toward my personal goals of writing a novel and a poetry manuscript, and I truly enjoy the work that I do every day. Eliminating the ability to freelance would be devastating to me, and I am quite certain I would no longer be able to afford my house.
  – Paige Cerulli

• I have a 9-5 job, but am worried about skyrocketing cost of living. I drive doordash on the side for extra fun money, and it works great for me.
  – Jere Ford

• I help seniors with getting their groceries and sometimes take them to the doctors. I don’t charge them. If they can they give me a little bit of cash to help me buy my own groceries. I don’t have a job as I am disabled myself taking care of my granddaughter.
  – Anonymous

• I work as a freelance truck driver based out of eastern Oregon. I have my own business and have done this since 2008. I have a lot more flexibility and am home a lot more, and I bring in more income than working as a hired employee.
  – Jermey Harley

• When the chips where down and no one would give me a job, Door Dash let me in. I could still work and put food on the table and pay the bills that were piling up due to Covid.
  – Jono Edwards

• I have social/general anxiety and autism. As a result of my disabilities I must have the flexibility that being an independent contractor allows. I really can’t stand being placed in a box under the label employee. It makes me depressed and miserable. I hate my work when I have to follow the rules of others. Being miserable at work makes me miserable at home. Please, don’t pass this harmful piece of legislation.
  – Kat Cowan

• I am a person who cleans houses. I’m 66 years old and I love it because I can work on my own time my own way.
  I don’t want to work for a business that cleans houses. You don’t make as much money and you have to work every day and there’s no flexibility in it.I’m independent, but I make good money, and I’m thankful that I can be an independent worker.
  – Rebekah R Weaverling

• 5/11/2021 – What’s at stake for gig workers if the Senate passes the PRO Act?
• 5/10/2021 – How the PRO Act threatens this outdoor writer-activist’s American Dream
• 5/4/2021 – New polling shows how small businesses might react if lawmakers pass the PRO Act
• 4/29/2021 – Leader of the movement against California’s AB 5 weighs in against the PRO Act
• 4/28/2021 – How the PRO Act would undermine work-life balance for freelancers and their families
• 4/20/2021 – PRO Act would hurt entrepreneurs living with chronic conditions
• 4/13/2021 – In their own words: Six women explain why they’re against the PRO Act
• 4/13/2021 – The grenade that blew up one California freelancer’s dream
• 4/7/2021 – Who are independent contractors, and how would the PRO Act limit their opportunity?
• 4/1/2021 – The PRO Act would set American workers back at the worst possible time | Tim Phillips and Senator Rand Paul
• 4/1/2021 – Under PRO Act, curtain would fall on 59 million freelancers
• 3/31/2021 – Three ways the PRO Act would violate workers’ rights
• 3/17/2021 – PRO Act would make it harder for America to get back to work
• 3/15/2021 – Career freelancer organizes to oppose California’s AB 5
• 3/11/2021 – Five myths about the PRO Act, and five facts to set them straight
• 3/11/2021 – PRO Act’s “smorgasbord of bad ideas” didn’t get a single hearing
• 3/10/2021 – The House passed the PRO Act. What does that mean for independent contractors?
• 3/9/2021 – The PRO Act would devastate flexible work arrangements for women
• 3/9/2021 – American workers: Don’t let Congress define your career
• 3/5/2021 – In Florida, AFP teams up with Congressman Greg Steube to defend independent contractors
• 3/4/2021 – Find out if your business could be reclassified under the PRO Act’s ABC test
• 2/17/2021 – A photographer built a business with his camera – but bills like the PRO Act could put a stop to that
• 2/1/2021 – Will the PRO Act Affect Your Work?
• 1/27/2021 – 94 percent of women choose independent contracting for its flexibility. So why are lawmakers trying to restrict it?
• 1/25/2021 – Your PRO Act primer: Everything you need to know about how this bill would harm independent work
• 1/5/2021 – The Department of Labor’s independent contractor rule change is great news for America’s workforce
• 12/8/2020 – How gig work is helping one student through college – and why lawmakers should embrace it
• 12/15/2020 – Santa Claus becomes the latest victim of independent contracting restrictions
• 11/30/2020 – How opposing the PRO Act helps working women
• 11/30/2020 – How independent contracting regulations could hurt Pennsylvania workers
• 11/23/2020 – How California’s Assembly Bill 5 is hurting one woman’s career
• 11/16/2020 – How independent contracting works and why it’s good for American workers
• 11/16/2020 – How one independent contractor built his photojournalism career – and might lose it because of California’s AB 5
• 11/16/2020 – Why independent contracting is important and should be protected
• 11/6/2020 – Five reasons California’s Assembly Bill 5 has been devastating to women
• 10/29/2020 – Proposed rule shines a light on growing importance of independent contracting
• 9/28/2020 – Department of Labor’s independent contractor rule reduces workplace uncertainty

| Peter Kalivas |
Founding Artistic & Executive Director – PGK Project

My dance company is in danger of shutting down, because of a bill that congress is considering called the PRO Act. I’m creating jobs all year round for dancers, for choreographers, for teachers, for non-profit administrators, and for technical production assistants. With the PRO Act, all of those jobs absolutely, absolutely go away.

| Lauren Klafke |
Owner – Willow Creek Financial Services

If the PRO Act were to pass, it would put me in a really tight spot. It would not be great for my business. I feel like what the PRO Act is going to do is move the point of entry for financial independence.

| Jaime Gravitt |
Entrepreneur & Home Schooling Mom – Classical Conversations

I make more now than what I did teaching. If the PRO Act came, I would lose that freedom and all of the flexibility. It would really change what our family looks like.

Sen. Rand Paul & AFP’s Tim Phillips: The PRO ACT undermines workers’ rights at the worst possible time