The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA), a bipartisan bill led by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02). The legislation aims to restore collective bargaining rights for nearly one million federal workers. The House approved a Motion to Discharge, setting up a final vote on the bill expected tomorrow.
Congressman Fitzpatrick and Congressman Golden built a coalition of 226 cosponsors, surpassing the required 218 signatures to bring PAWA to the floor. This procedural step reflects broad cross-party support for the measure.
“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.”
Golden commented on previous executive actions affecting labor rights: “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 leaders have expressed support for PAWA following today’s action in Congress.
“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.”
Dr. Everett B. Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), added: “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.”
Fitzpatrick has represented Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 after succeeding Mike Fitzpatrick as U.S Congress member [source]. He was born in Philadelphia in 1973, currently lives in Levittown [source], graduated from La Salle University with a BS in 1996, then earned his JD from Pennsylvania State University at Carlisle in 2001.
The Protect America’s Workforce Act was introduced by Fitzpatrick and Golden earlier this year as an effort to reverse an executive order titled “Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs.” That order had sought to eliminate collective bargaining rights across several federal agencies including Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Energy—and certain employees within Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Interior, Agriculture—impacting about two-thirds of federal employees according to independent reports.
Federal employees already face limits on labor rights; they cannot bargain over pay or benefits or strike but may negotiate working conditions only—a restriction not shared by private sector unions. About one-third of unionized federal employees are military veterans.
The bill emphasizes that respecting those who serve within government is fundamental for effective public service.
