H.R. 2619 – Prioritizing Our Workers Act

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 4:56 AM UTC

The Prioritizing Our Workers Act changes the bankruptcy code so that certain pension obligations are treated as administrative expenses, giving them higher priority in bankruptcy cases. It adds unfunded vested benefits from defined‑benefit pension plans and ERISA withdrawal liability to the list of expenses that must be paid before most other debts. The change affects bankrupt companies, their creditors, and workers who are entitled to pension benefits.

Key Provisions

Amends 11 U.S.C. §503(b) to insert two new categories—(10) unfunded vested benefits in a defined‑benefit pension plan, and (11) withdrawal liability under ERISA—as administrative expenses in bankruptcy.
Updates 11 U.S.C. §507(a)(5) to exclude the newly added pension expenses from the limitation on administrative expenses, ensuring they are paid first.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.

Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Subcommittee

June 26, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 9, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

May 9, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.

Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Subcommittee

June 26, 2019

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 9, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2619

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 9, 2019

Mr. Ryan introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend title 11, United States Code, to include certain pension as administrative expenses in bankruptcy, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Prioritizing Our Workers Act.

2.

Allowance of administrative expenses

(a)

In general

Section 503(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (8)(B), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by inserting after paragraph (9) the following:

(10)

notwithstanding section 507(a)(5), all unfunded vested benefits in a defined benefit pension plan; and

(11)

withdrawal liability determined under part 1 of subtitle E of title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.).

.

(b)

Conforming amendment

Section 507(a)(5) is amended by inserting except as provided in section 503(b)(10), after Fifth,.