I4AW Presents 2025 Defender of Worker Freedom Awards to Rep. Bob Onder and Independent Contractor Advocate Kim Kavin for Empowering American Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 15, 2025
CONTACT: Mary Ellen Beatty, MaryEllen@i4aw.org

HAMILTON, VA.— Institute for the American Worker is proud to honor Rep. Robert F. Onder, M.D., J.D. (R-MO 3) and independent contractor advocate Kim Kavin with our annual Defender of Worker Freedom award for championing policies that empower the American worker.

Presented each year, this award is given to individuals who champion workers and promote freedom and flexibility in labor policy.

Rep. Onder demonstrated his commitment to freedom in the workplace through his legislative contributions and leadership in Congress and in the Missouri General Assembly, where he was a tireless advocate for reform.

Kim Kavin has made a substantial impact through her leadership and willingness to share the independent worker perspective with the public and through testifying before Congress.

“Both Rep. Onder and Kim Kavin have used their unique positions to stand up for the American worker,” said I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio. “Rep. Onder has been a leader in Congress, keeping workers at the center of developing labor legislation. Kim Kavin continues to publicize the struggles independent workers face against government overreach and bring real life context to how specific regulations would hinder their ability to prosper.”

As a freshman in Congress, Rep. Onder has taken a leadership role as Vice Chair of the House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions. This year alone he introduced the Worker Enfranchisement Act, which would ensure a quorum of workers have a say before a union is allowed to represent them, and co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation that have been pivotal in the fight to protect independent contractors. Additionally, Rep. Onder is leading a successful effort to prevent Congress from stopping the Trump Administration’s pro-worker reforms at agencies dealing with national security.

Kim Kavin is a lifelong writer and editor who started as a freelancer in 2003 after a decade in staff roles. In 2019, she co-founded the grassroots advocacy group Fight for Freelancers, where she organized and educated thousands of independent contractors.  In 2021, the American Society of Journalists and Authors presented her with its Exceptional Service Award for “leadership and heroic efforts on behalf of freelance writers” in the fights against two pieces of legislation that would destroy the independent contracting model— California’s Assembly Bill 5, a state statute that went into effect in 2020, and also the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. Kim first testified before Congress about the need to protect independent contractors in 2023 and has since met with individual members of Congress and their staff to advocate for the rights of independent workers. She also writes the “Freelance Busting” newsletter on Substack.

I4AW presented the award to Rep. Onder on Dec. 12 at his office on Capitol Hill (left photo below) and to Kim Kavin on Dec. 4^th in front of a group of I4AW allies in Washington, DC (right photo below).

To speak with I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio about these award recipients, please email MaryEllen@i4aw.org to set up an interview.

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Institute for the American Worker is a non-profit 501c3 organization that educates policymakers on complex labor legislation and offers policy solutions that benefit the American worker.