Republican Wants to Loosen Child Labor Laws

Newsweek

27-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
A GOP-led bill introduced in the House of Representatives last week would allow teenagers to work longer and later hours if signed into law by President Donald Trump.
Newsweek has contacted Representative Dusty Johnson's office for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Johnson, a Republican from South Dakota who introduced the legislation, touts the bill as giving teenagers more flexibility and opportunities to work more hours. However, some child advocates have raised concerns in recent years about lawmakers rolling back policies intended to protect teenagers in the workforce. One critic described the bill as "misguided" in comments to Newsweek.
Proponents of tightening child labor laws argue children and teenagers shouldn't be focused on work and need stronger protections in the workplace to allow them to focus on school, extracurricular activities and socialization. Others, however, believe teenagers should be able to work more to earn more money, arguing that jobs will better prepare them for life after high school.
A stock image of a teenager selling food products at a deli.
A stock image of a teenager selling food products at a deli.
Daisy-Daisy/iStock via Getty Images
What To Know
Johnson's Teenagers Earning Everyday Necessary Skills (TEENS) Act would change the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to adjust federal requirements for child labor laws. It would allow states to create laws allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. year-round. Currently, federal law prohibits them from working past 7 p.m. during the school year.
The bill would also increase the number of hours they can work during the school week from 18 to 24.
"I'm not saying kids need to work all hours of the day, but we should allow them and their parents to make the choice that is best for them. We know work experience increases growth, development, and success. I want to encourage our kids to experience the reward of hard work, not prevent it," Johnson wrote in a news release.
He also said, "Kids are allowed to play video games all hours of the night, but current law tells them if they want to work past 7:00 PM, they can't do that."
States have the authority to create their own child labor laws, and several have made changes to their policies in recent years.
The bill has received support from pro-business groups that argue it will give teenagers more opportunities and address workforce challenges. However, the bill, which has been introduced in previous congressional sessions, has sparked the ire of labor advocacy groups in the past.
What People Are Saying
Reid Maki, the director of child labor advocacy for the National Consumers League and the coordinator of the Child Labor Coalition, told Newsweek: "Rep. Johnson's legislation is a misguided attempt to undo federal child labor protections designed to protect young teenagers from academic harm that accompanies working excessive hours during the school week. Research shows that when teens work more than 20 hours per week during the school year, their grades drop, and school completion rates fall."
"We see no reason for Rep. Johnson to risk damaging the educational success of younger teens."
Rodney Davis, the head of government affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a news release: "Workforce shortages have remained top of mind for business for over a year. The TEENS Act provides employers greater workforce flexibility and furthers teenagers' opportunities to safely participate in the workforce and gain real world experience. With the continued workforce challenges facing the nation, this is a bill the business community can rally behind."
Sean Kennedy, the executive vice president of public affairs at the National Restaurant Association, wrote in the news release: "Nearly half of adults in the U.S. had their first experience working in a restaurant, making the restaurant and foodservice industry one of the nation's largest training grounds. The TEENS Act extends the opportunity for teens to learn business and life skills on the job and would help address some of the restaurant industry's workforce challenges."
What Happens Next
It remains to be seen whether the bill—which is co-sponsored by Representatives Troy Nehls of Texas and Tracey Mann of Kansas, according to Johnson's office—will have enough support to make it through key committee votes or a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.
It would also need to pass the Senate. Although the upper chamber is controlled by Republicans, any legislation must overcome the 60-vote filibuster for a floor vote. This means it would need support from some Democrats, who have typically not supported this sort of legislation in the past.