House Republicans Join Democrats to Advance Bill Nullifying President Trump's Executive Order on Federal Unions
In a significant legislative move, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 222-200 to advance a bill aimed at nullifying an executive order issued by President Trump in March 2025. This executive order had stripped collective bargaining rights from approximately one million federal workers. The bill, known as the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA), was spearheaded by Democratic Representative Jared Golden. It seeks to restore union rights for employees in key federal agencies, including those related to national security, healthcare, and veterans' affairs. Notably, 13 Republicans broke ranks with their party to support the bill, joining nearly the entire Democratic caucus. The bill's advancement was facilitated by a discharge petition, a procedural mechanism that allows a vote on a bill despite opposition from party leadership, provided it has majority support in the House.