Ohio Senator Proposes Bill to Deter Job Outsourcing and Boost American Employment

Ohio Senator Proposes Bill to Deter Job Outsourcing and Boost American Employment

FIRST ON FOX: Ohio Republican Senator Bernie Moreno is taking a bold stance against job outsourcing with the introduction of a new legislative proposal. This legislation aims to penalize companies that relocate jobs and operations abroad while simultaneously offering financial support for initiatives that create jobs within the United States.

The HIRE Act Explained

Introduced on Friday, the bill known as the “Halting International Relocation of Employment Act” or the “HIRE Act” implements a substantial 25% tax on what it terms “outsourcing payments.” These payments are defined as any financial transactions made by a U.S. company or taxpayer to foreign individuals whose work benefits consumers in the United States.

Preventing Tax Evasion

In addition to imposing taxes on outsourcing payments, the legislation incorporates protective measures to eliminate potential tax evasion practices through U.S. territories. Furthermore, companies will be required to fully disclose all outsourcing payments and contracts. They will also be forbidden from deducting any outsourcing costs for tax purposes.

Funding American Workforce Development

The revenue generated from penalties associated with overseas employment will be invested back into the American workforce. More specifically, these funds will provide support for apprenticeship programs and various workforce development initiatives focused on enhancing job opportunities for American workers.

Moreno’s Call to Action

Moreno expressed strong sentiments in a statement to Fox News Digital. He emphasized the disconnect between global corporate practices and the struggle of American college graduates to find employment. He stated, “While college grads in America struggle to find work, globalist politicians and C-Suite executives have spent decades shipping good-paying jobs overseas in pursuit of slave wages and immense profits—those days are over.”

Legislative Challenges Ahead

Should the bill advance through Congress, which is currently under Republican control, and be signed by the sitting Republican president, it would also bar companies from representing outsourcing payments as base erosion payments when calculating their Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax. This would significantly impact the financial strategies of firms that depend on outsourcing.

Advocating for the American Workforce

Moreno further reinforced his commitment to protecting the interests of working-class Americans. He declared, “It’s time to fight for working class Americans and ensure they can work and retire with dignity. If companies want to hire foreign workers instead of Americans, my bill will hit them where it hurts: their pocketbooks.”

Employment Trends in the U.S.

The introduction of this bill aligns with a broader narrative regarding job growth and employment within the United States, particularly under the Trump administration. Recent reports highlighted an increase in job opportunities for American-born citizens, pointing to nearly 2 million jobs added in the past year alone. In contrast, jobs for foreign-born individuals have experienced a significant decline during the same timeframe.

Statistics Reveal Job Market Shifts

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that the number of employed foreign-born individuals aged 16 and over has decreased. From July 2024 to July 2025, the number dropped by approximately 452,000, demonstrating a changing landscape in the labor market. In July 2025, the number of foreign-born jobs in the United States was recorded at around 32,066,000, down from 32,518,000 the previous year, marking a 1.39 percent decline.

Addressing Job Outsourcing Moving Forward

As discussions surrounding job creation and the protection of American jobs continue, Moreno’s proposed legislation stands as a clear indication of a growing commitment among U.S. lawmakers to prioritize domestic employment. The ongoing developments in this legislative effort will likely draw attention from various stakeholders, including businesses, labor organizations, and policymakers as they analyze the potential implications of such measures.

Fox News Digital’s Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.