House approves Motion to Discharge after months of broad coalition-building
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA), bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) to restore and protect collective bargaining rights for nearly one million federal workers.
With this vote, the House affirmed a principle shared across party lines: supporting the dedicated public servants who keep our government running is essential to the nation’s strength. The House is expected to vote on final passage tomorrow.
Fitzpatrick and Golden successfully built a bipartisan coalition of 226 cosponsors, securing the 218 signatures necessary to bring PAWA to the floor—a procedural milestone that signifies strong cross-party support.
“Today’s vote is a reminder of what this House can accomplish when we honor its purpose and allow the people’s will to move forward. A bipartisan majority affirmed that protecting America’s security and respecting America’s workers are not competing priorities — they are inseparable,” said Fitzpatrick. “Federal workers, many of whom are veterans, are the backbone of our public service. When their voices are heard in the decisions that shape their work, our government is more stable, more capable, and better prepared to serve the American people. I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Golden in leading this bipartisan effort. Tomorrow, let’s carry this unity across the finish line and restore the rights that keep our federal workforce — and the nation they serve—strong.”
“President Trump said ending collective bargaining was about protecting our national defense. But in my District, many affected workers build our warships and care for our veterans. These workers make our country safer and stronger every day. America did not vote to silence these workers. But this bill gives all of us a chance to restore their voices,” Golden said. “If the majority we built over the past few months sticks together, we can overturn this union-busting executive order, and we can show America that this body will protect workers' rights.”
Labor organizations representing public servants across the government praised the House’s action:
“The labor movement fought back against the largest act of union-busting in American history by doing what we do best: organizing," said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. "We commend Reps. Golden and Fitzpatrick for leading us to a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act and urge every lawmaker to support this bill. Working people built a bipartisan coalition to restore union rights to federal workers in the face of unprecedented attacks on our freedoms and livelihoods.”
“Time and again, he has answered the call to defend the working men and women who keep this country safe and secure, healthy and prosperous. I urge all members of Congress to support the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act offered by Reps. Golden and Fitzpatrick and enact it into law,” said Dr. Everett B. Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
Background:
Fitzpatrick and Golden introduced the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act in April.
The legislation would reverse the Executive Order titled “Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs” which aimed to eliminate collective bargaining rights across multiple federal agencies. Specifically, the order targeted employees in 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 total, the order impacted roughly 67% of the federal workforce, according to independent reports.
Federal workers already face significant limitations in their labor rights. Unlike their counterparts in the private sector, they are prohibited by law from bargaining over wages, benefits, or job classifications and are barred from striking. Their collective bargaining rights are restricted solely to matters related to working conditions. Notably, approximately one-third of unionized federal employees are U.S. military veterans.
The Protect America’s Workforce Act reaffirms a core principle: a government that serves the people must also respect the rights of those who serve within it.