Hawley, Booker Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Eradicate Child Labor, Hold Bad Actors Accountable

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Monday, March 10, 2025
Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J)reintroducedthePreventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Act,which would prohibit corporations that engage in illegal child labor practices from securing federal contracts. The billpassed outof the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with strong bipartisan support last year.“Companies that illegally employ children should not be rewarded with lucrative federal government contracts that make corporations millions,”said Senator Hawley.“This bipartisan legislation would hold companies accountable for engaging in child labor exploitation and rightfully ensure offenders face consequences.”“Right now in America, big corporations are exploiting children in workplaces where federal law says they shouldn’t be in the first place. Children are cleaning dangerous machinery in factories, handling toxic chemicals, working exhausting shifts in meat processing plants, and more, all in flagrant violation of the law. Companies are often able to shield themselves from accountability by using third-party vendors with long records of labor infractions. I am proud to work with Senator Hawley to say that, at the very least, the federal government should not contract with companies that violate child labor law. Federal contracts must not be used to drive profits for corporations that continue to jeopardize our children’s safety and well-being,”said Senator Booker.ThePreventing Child Labor Exploitation in Federal Contracting Actwould:
Read the bill texthere.Background:Senator Hawley has a staunch history of standing against unfair labor practices, especially child labor.Recently, Senator Hawley questioned Trump Department of Labor nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer on the topic of child labor, emphasizing the role of the Department in investigating potential violations of child labor law and urging her to hold violators accountable.In 2023, Senator Hawleycalled onTyson Foods CEO Donnie King to answer for The New York Times’ allegations that his company was engaging in unsafe child labor practices.He also introduced theCorporate Responsibility for Child Labor Elimination Actto compel major corporations to eliminate child labor from their workforces.

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