New Legislation Guarantees Minimum Wage for Homecare Workers

WASHINGTON—Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Patty Murray introduced the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act. The legislation that would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to guarantee minimum wage and overtime protections for more than 3 million homecare workers.

“Congress has a moral obligation to protect those who care for our most vulnerable communities, and homecare workers are the backbone of our long-term care system,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “I am proud to introduce the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act with Senator Patty Murray to finally codify the minimum wage and overtime protections our homecare workers deserve and prevent future attacks on their livelihoods.”

In the United States there are more than 3 million homecare workers who support almost 10 million people with disabilities and older adults with activities of daily living. In July 2025, the Trump administration took action to roll back a 2013 rule—seeking to deny homecare workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay. If the Trump administration’s proposal is finalized, homecare workers who reside in states with no additional wage protections will lose their right to minimum wage and overtime protections. If passed, the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act would codify homecare workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay in statute and expand overtime protections to domestic workers as well.

“In Washington state and across our country, homecare workers ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can live in their homes with dignity and respect,” said Murray. “They play a vital role in our communities and too many of them are struggling to make ends meet on the low wages they’re receiving. Instead of supporting these workers, Donald Trump wants to overturn a rule that ensures that homecare workers receive the same basic minimum wage and overtime protections as everyone else. That’s why today we are introducing the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act. This bill makes sure that homecare workers and domestic workers at least have the basic wage protections they deserve and can continue to earn a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. No loopholes, exceptions, or sabotage from a billionaire President without a clue.”

To read the legislation text, click here.