Legislative and Political
Issue 1, 2025

In the wake of attacks on labor rights for federal workers by the Trump administration, lawmakers in Congress have taken the lead to propose bi-partisan legislation to support labor rights. 

In the House of Representatives, seven Republican legislators led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) sent a letter to Trump calling on him to repeal the March executive order gutting federal workers of their rights to collectively bargain. “We support efforts to improve government efficiency – but applying sweeping national security exemptions to agencies… risks doing more harm than good,” Fitzpatrick, the son of union members, said. “These agencies are vital to public service… Efficiency and fairness are not mutually exclusive.” 

Fitzpatrick also introduced the Protect America’s Workforce Act with Jared Golden (D-ME). The bi-partisan bill would reverse President

Trumps Executive Order “Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Program,” (see above for more information about EO) restoring federal workers their right to come together to negotiate for better working conditions. The bill specifically targets the employees at the Departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Energy, as well as certain employees in the Departments of Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Interior and Agriculture. 

“In his order, President Trump said that federal workers’ rights are incompatible with national security. He is wrong. Union workers make America stronger every single day,” Rep. Golden said when the bill was introduced. “Throughout our history, unions have ensured workers got their fair share of this nation’s prosperity. Unions built our middle class and are key to strengthening its future.” 
Senator Hawley Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Labor Laws

Senator Hawley Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Labor Laws

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Faster Labor Contracts Act, designed to ensure that when workers choose to join a union, employers must bargain in good faith and sign a collective bargaining agreement. Often, even after workers vote to form a union, employers refuse to bargain – drawing out the process so workers don’t see a contract. 

This legislation would require mediation and binding arbitration (if necessary) to ensure that workers get a labor agreement in a timely fashion. The bipartisan bill has Corey Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joining as cosponsors.

“Ultimately, comprehensive labor law reform, as represented by the PRO Act, is sorely needed to protect the rights of workers,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “Republican support for pro-union labor law reform, even incremental measures, is a positive step in the right direction. The chances for enacting meaningful reforms are significantly increased, if the legislation has bipartisan support.”