Ro Khanna Proposes 'Creator Bill of Rights' for Digital Workers

The landscape of American labor is shifting beneath our feet, and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna is looking to provide a safety net for those navigating it. On Thursday, the California congressman plans to introduce a House resolution titled the Creator Bill of Rights, a proposal designed to extend labor protections to the millions of Americans earning a living as digital creators.

This initiative arrives at a critical juncture. As the gig economy expands, a growing segment of the workforce finds itself in a precarious position—generating significant revenue for massive platforms while lacking the traditional benefits and stability of conventional employment. Khanna's proposal seeks to address this gap, framing content creation not as a hobby, but as a legitimate career path deserving of structural support.

The Creator Bill of Rights is not a single piece of legislation but a collection of policy recommendations aimed at addressing the specific headaches faced by influencers on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Developed in partnership with creators and industry advocates such as Shira Lazar and Lisandra Vásquez, the resolution outlines several key areas for reform.

Central to the proposal is a push for financial transparency. Khanna is asking Congress to consider standards that would require platforms to share clear and predictable revenue-sharing terms with their users. While some platforms, like YouTube, have established systems, others rely on opaque "creator funds" that result in unpredictable payouts for their talent.

Beyond finances, the proposal tackles the rapid advancement of technology. It advocates for platform transparency regarding artificial intelligence and synthetic media, a contentious issue as AI tools threaten to impact creators' livelihoods and intellectual property. Additionally, the bill addresses the frustration of automated moderation systems.

Khanna proposes that customer service appeals run more smoothly for creators whose accounts are impacted by "platform actions," such as demonetization. Finally, and perhaps most significantly for long-term stability, the legislator hopes to grant creators access to portable benefits. Since most digital creators are independent contractors not tied to a single employer, they currently lack access to subsidized health insurance and retirement plans.

Khanna's legislative push is driven by the sheer scale of the creator economy. An April report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau estimated there are approximately 1.5 million full-time digital creators in the United States. This number is likely to grow, as a July report from Morning Consult indicated that just under half of Gen Z individuals view being a professional content creator as their "ideal career."

"As we have such a large and growing segment of people who rely on content creation to be part of the middle class, we need to make sure that these jobs are good jobs,"

Khanna stated in an interview. However, the reality of the job often contrasts sharply with its glamorous exterior. While creators may enjoy setting their own hours and receiving free products, the lack of a safety net is a major downside. The volatility of platform algorithms means a single tweak can devastate a creator's traffic and revenue overnight. Furthermore, income inequality within the sector is rising, with a disproportionate amount of revenue flowing to mega-stars rather than the average creator.

While the resolution is aspirational—functioning more as a conversation starter than a law ready for immediate enactment—it faces significant political and economic obstacles. Khanna acknowledges that implementing these changes would come with costs. Some proposals, such as expanding healthcare coverage, would likely be borne by the government through a "Medicare-for-all" style program.

However, other measures would impose additional costs directly on tech platforms. Policies requiring transparent revenue sharing or improved customer service appeals could be met with resistance from Silicon Valley. Major platforms that have already paid out billions in ad-revenue sharing may be reluctant to accept new government rules dictating how they compensate talent.

Khanna remains optimistic about the reception in Congress, noting that his colleagues "may not agree with every one of the ideas, but there will be an openness to engage." Despite this, some lawmakers remain disconnected from the industry. Khanna noted that too many in Congress still view TikTok simply as a "song and dance" app, failing to grasp its economic significance.

The introduction of the Creator Bill of Rights coincides with a broader trend of digital influencers assuming a larger role in the political arena, particularly following their significant impact on the 2024 elections. Lawmakers are increasingly recognizing the need to engage with this demographic.

In June, a bipartisan effort emerged as Reps. Yvette D. Clarke of New York and Beth Van Duyne of Texas announced plans to launch a Congressional Creators Caucus. Their stated goal is to "bring the voices and perspectives of online content creators into the public policy arena." This move signals a shift in Washington, where the creator economy is finally being treated as a serious sector of the labor market.

Outside of government, established labor organizations are also taking an interest. Unions like SAG-AFTRA and interest groups such as The Creators Guild of America have begun exploring ways to extend labor protections to digital creators, validating the need for the standards Khanna is proposing.

The Creator Bill of Rights represents a foundational step toward recognizing the legitimacy of the digital creator economy. While the resolution itself does not change existing law, it establishes a framework for future legislation that could stabilize the livelihoods of millions of Americans.

As the creator workforce continues to expand and influence the broader culture, the pressure on Congress to act will likely intensify. Whether through government-funded benefits or platform-mandated transparency, the conversation Khanna has started is one that will define the future of work in the digital age.