House Rejects Training Time Bill, Signaling Slim Odds For FLSA Reforms

January 20, 2026

What's New

The House of Representatives voted down H.R. 2262, a proposal to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to allow employers to offer voluntary training programs to hourly employees without treating that time as compensable. Supporters argued the change would encourage employers to provide additional skills training.

The House Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced the bill last April on a party-line vote, but when it reached the full chamber last week, six Republicans joined all Democrats in opposition, and the measure failed 209 to 215.

What It Means

The bill was one of several targeted employment reforms scheduled for House action last week. Its defeat makes it unlikely the chamber will resume consideration of the other measures. In fact, absent an unexpected bipartisan deal, the House may set aside employment-related legislation for the rest of the year.

What You Should Do

Although certain types of training time may be non-compensable, the Labor Department applies those exceptions narrowly. Employers seeking a refresher on the rules should consider registering for CWC’s upcoming Fundamentals of Wage and Hour Compliance course on May 4-8, 2026. The political environment and prospects for legislative and regulatory reforms will also be a key subject at our Workplace Policy Conference on March 18-19, 2026.

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