119th Congress · introduced in the House · Mar 24, 2025
Tipped Employee Protection Act
Official title from Congress.gov
Latest action (Jan 13, 2026): POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on H.R. 2312 is postponed.
View on Congress.govPolicy area: Labor and Employment
Congressional Research Service summary, version: Reported to House (Dec 30, 2025)
Tipped Employee Protection Act
This bill modifies the definition of a tipped employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to exclude consideration of an employee's duties when determining if the employee is a tipped employee.
Under current law, tipped employees may be paid less than the federal minimum wage (currently $7.25 an hour), but the total of their cash wage and tips must be at least equal to the federal minimum wage. Under the FLSA, a tipped employee is currently a worker who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips.
The bill broadens the definition of tipped employee to include any worker who receives tips and other cash wages for a work period at a rate that is at least the federal minimum wage, without regard to the duties of the employee. Under the bill, the work period is a work period that is determined by the employer.
Includes amendment, cloture, and procedural votes. Each is labeled with its exact question; only a passage question is a vote to pass the bill.
House · Jan 13, 2026 · Roll call 21 · Failed
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on H.R. 2312 is postponed.
On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 209 - 215 (Roll no. 21). Roll call details
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H694)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 2312, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Budzinski demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
Ms. Budzinski moved to recommit to the Committee on Education and Workforce. (text: CR H690-691)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2312.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2988, H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312 and H.R. 4366. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2988 under a structured rule, and H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312, and H.R. 4366 under a closed rule. The rule provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 988. (consideration: CR H685-691; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H685)
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 988 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2988, H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312 and H.R. 4366. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2988 under a structured rule, and H.R. 2262, H.R. 2270, H.R. 2312, and H.R. 4366 under a closed rule. The rule provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
Labor standards · Wages and earnings
LD-2 reports whose issue descriptions explicitly cite this bill (bill type and number validated against Congress.gov records). A citation does not establish the client's position or any contact with a member.
Loading lobbying reportsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 366.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-420.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-420.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 15.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Actions from Congress.gov, newest first.
Coverage: reports for 2025 onward, posted Jan 1, 2025 through Oct 24, 2026.
18 citations.
NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$1,783,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ement Transparency Act (H.R. 6156), Union Members Right to Know Act (H.R. 6139); Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act (H.R. 2299), the Tipped Employee Protection Act (H.R. 2312), and the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 2870) NLRB decisions in Lion Elastomers, Cemex, American Steel Construction, Thryv, Inc., The Atlanta Opera, a…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL (SBE COUNCIL) · lobbying firm or registrant: SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL (SBE COUNCIL)
2026 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2026 – Sep 30, 2026) · posted Oct 20, 2026 · issue area: Small Business
$35,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ouse passage of the bill. Working Families Flexibility Act, H.R. 2870: Continue to support full U.S. House passage of the bill. Tipped Employee Protection Act, H.R. 2312: Continue to support U.S. House passage of the bill. Access to Capital: INVEST Act, H.R. 3383: Continue to support U.S. Senate passage of this Housed-passed bi…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$790,000
Spent on own lobbying
…joint employer, non-disparagement, wage rates, overtime, and tip credit. Wage/tip credit legislative proposals. Workforce development issues. Apprenticeships. H.R. 2312, Tipped Employee Protection Act. H.R. 5494, Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act. H.R. 4366, Save Local Business Act. H.R. 20, Richard L. Trumka Prot…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL (SBE COUNCIL) · lobbying firm or registrant: SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL (SBE COUNCIL)
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Small Business
$45,000
Spent on own lobbying
….S. House passage of the bill. Working Families Flexibility Act, H.R. 2870: Continue to support U.S. House passage of the bill. Tipped Employee Protection Act, H.R. 2312: Support U.S. House passage of the bill. DOLs Proposal to Expand Investment Opportunities in 401(k) Plans (Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AFL-CIO · lobbying firm or registrant: AFL-CIO
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$760,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ct H.R. 2262 - Flexibility for Workers Education Act H.R. 2270 Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act H.R. 2299 - Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act H.R. 2312 - Tipped Employee Protection Act H.R. 2550 - Protecting America's Workforce Act H.R. 2572 - Worker Enfranchisement Act H.R. 2736 & S. 1352 - Public Service Fre…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
2026 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2026 – Jun 30, 2026) · posted Jul 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$2,246,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ement Transparency Act (H.R. 6156), Union Members Right to Know Act (H.R. 6139); Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act (H.R. 2299), the Tipped Employee Protection Act (H.R. 2312), and the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 2870) NLRB decisions in Lion Elastomers, Cemex, American Steel Construction, Thryv, Inc., The Atlanta Opera, a…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$870,000
Spent on own lobbying
…joint employer, non-disparagement, wage rates, overtime, and tip credit. Wage/tip credit legislative proposals. Workforce development issues. Apprenticeships. H.R. 2312, Tipped Employee Protection Act. H.R. 5494, Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act. H.R. 4366, Save Local Business Act. H.R. 20, Richard L. Trumka Prot…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$1,936,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ment Transparency Act (H.R. 6156), Union Members Right to Know Act (H.R. 6139) - Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act (H.R. 2299), the Tipped Employee Protection Act (H.R. 2312), and the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 2870)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
UNITED AUTOMOBILE AEROSPACE & AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS · lobbying firm or registrant: UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE & AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$220,000
Spent on own lobbying
…390, S. 2823). Oppose H.R 2262, the Flexibility for Workers Education Act. Oppose H.R. 2270, the Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act. Oppose H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act. Oppose H.R. 2988, Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act. Support Healthy Families Act (H.R.7531).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AFL-CIO · lobbying firm or registrant: AFL-CIO
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$880,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ct H.R. 2262 - Flexibility for Workers Education Act H.R. 2270 Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act H.R. 2299 - Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act H.R. 2312 - Tipped Employee Protection Act H.R. 2550 - Protecting America's Workforce Act H.R. 2572 - Worker Enfranchisement Act H.R. 2736 & S. 1352 - Public Service Fre…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL (SBE COUNCIL) · lobbying firm or registrant: SMALL BUSINESS & ENTREPRENEURSHIP COUNCIL (SBE COUNCIL)
2026 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2026 – Mar 31, 2026) · posted Apr 19, 2026 · issue area: Small Business
$35,000
Spent on own lobbying
….S. House passage of the bill. Working Families Flexibility Act, H.R. 2870: Continue to support U.S. House passage of the bill. Tipped Employee Protection Act, H.R. 2312: Support U.S. House passage of the bill. DOLs Proposal to Expand Investment Opportunities in 401(k) Plans: Supportive of a framework to provide American worker…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$1,635,000
Spent on own lobbying
…ment Transparency Act (H.R. 6156), Union Members Right to Know Act (H.R. 6139) - Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act (H.R. 2299), the Tipped Employee Protection Act (H.R. 2312), and the Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 2870)
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$830,000
Spent on own lobbying
…joint employer, non-disparagement, wage rates, overtime, and tip credit. Wage/tip credit legislative proposals. Workforce development issues. Apprenticeships. H.R. 2312, Tipped Employee Protection Act. H.R. 5494, Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act. H.R. 4366, Save Local Business Act. H.R. 20, Richard L. Trumka Prot…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
AFL-CIO · lobbying firm or registrant: AFL-CIO
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 20, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$760,000
Spent on own lobbying
H.R. 1723 - Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025 H.R. 2299 - Ensuring Workers Get PAID Act H.R. 2312 - Tipped Employee Protection Act H.R. 2550 - Protect America's Workforce Act H.R. 2572 - Worker Enfranchisement Act H.R. 2736 & S. 1352 - Public Service Freedo…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY (CLASP) · lobbying firm or registrant: CENTER FOR LAW AND SOCIAL POLICY (CLASP)
2025 Q4 report (Oct 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2025) · posted Jan 15, 2026 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
Amount not reported
In support of the FAMILY Act (H.R.5390/S.2823). In opposition to the Tipped Employee Protection Act (H.R.2312). In opposition to the SCORE Act (H.R.4312).
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. View filing
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
2025 Q3 report (Jul 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2025) · posted Oct 20, 2025 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$810,000
Spent on own lobbying
…, wage rates, overtime, and tip credit. Wage/tip credit legislative proposals. Workforce development issues. Apprenticeships. Paid leave legislative proposals. H.R. 2312, Tipped Employee Protection Act. H.R. 5494, Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act. H.R. 4366, Save Local Business Act. S. 844, Faster Labor Contracts…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
2025 Q2 report (Apr 1, 2025 – Jun 30, 2025) · posted Jul 21, 2025 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$790,000
Spent on own lobbying
…disparagement, overtime and tip credit. Wage/tip credit legislative proposals. Workforce development issues. Apprenticeships. Paid leave legislative proposals. H.R. 2312, Tipped Employee Protection Act. Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (draft legislation). Save Local Business Act (draft legislation). S. 844, Faste…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing
NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION · lobbying firm or registrant: NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
2025 Q1 report (Jan 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2025) · posted Apr 21, 2025 · issue area: Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace
$880,000
Spent on own lobbying
…disparagement, overtime and tip credit. Wage/tip credit legislative proposals. Workforce development issues. Apprenticeships. Paid leave legislative proposals. H.R. 2312, Tipped Employee Protection Act. Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (draft legislation). Save Local Business Act (draft legislation). TEENS Act (dr…
Congress inferred from the report year; bill number and the title cited with it match Congress.gov records, and the bill predates the report. The amount is lobbying spending for every issue on this report, not this bill alone, and none of it is paid to any member of Congress. View filing