The US House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced a proposal on March 21 to repeal the US Department of Labor’s rule making it harder for companies to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees, Reuters reported.  

The committee approved the resolution in a 21-13 vote, making it eligible for full House consideration. 

The legislation challenges the rule, announced Jan. 9 and implemented March 11, that uses a multifactor “economic reality” test to determine when a worker is an independent contractor. 

“To eliminate an employment model that has allowed millions of Americans to have the flexibility they need … is inconceivable,” said Rep. Rick Allen, a Republican from Georgia.