More than a dozen House Republicans broke with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, joining Democrats to advance legislation aimed at reversing a major executive order.
The House voted 222–200 to move forward with a bill that would overturn a Trump order issued in March that removed collective bargaining rights for about one million federal workers.
Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who introduced the bill, forced the vote using a discharge petition—a procedure that can bring a measure to the floor even if House leadership doesn’t want it considered, so long as it has majority support.
Why It Matters
Golden’s proposal—the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA)—would restore union rights for workers at agencies tied to national security, healthcare, and veterans’ services, including many federal employees who are veterans themselves.
Trump’s executive order barred collective bargaining across multiple federal agencies, including parts of the Departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Energy, along with some workers in Homeland Security, Treasury, HHS, Interior, and Agriculture.
Federal workers already face tighter limits than private-sector employees: they cannot bargain over wages or benefits and are prohibited from striking, though unions can negotiate over working conditions.
What To Know
Wednesday’s vote advances the bill and sets the stage for debate and a final House vote.
The effort drew support from nearly all Democrats and five Republican co-sponsors: Brian Fitzpatrick, Don Bacon, Rob Bresnahan, Nick LaLota, and Mike Lawler. The bill also had four additional GOP co-sponsors who did not sign the discharge petition.
In total, 13 Republicans voted with Democrats to advance the measure, defying party leadership: Jeff Van Drew, Nicole Malliotakis, Nick LaLota, Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, Don Bacon, Mike Lawler, Tom Kean, Ryan Mackenzie, Zach Nunn, Chris Smith, Pete Stauber, and Mike Turner.
What People Are Saying
Golden argued that the administration’s national security justification doesn’t match the workers affected in his district.
“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,” Golden said. “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 voice.”
He added that if the coalition holds, Congress can reverse what he called a “union-busting” order and show voters it will protect workers’ rights.
Fitzpatrick, the lead Republican co-sponsor, framed the vote as proof bipartisan action is still possible.
“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,” he said. “A bipartisan majority affirmed that protecting America’s security and respecting America’s workers are not competing priorities — they are inseparable.”
He said federal workers—many of them veterans—are essential to government stability and capability, and urged colleagues to complete the effort in the next vote.
Labor leaders also praised the vote.
Liz Shuler, president of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations union, said the labor movement pushed back by organizing and urged lawmakers to back PAWA, calling the executive order “the largest act of union-busting in American history.”
Dr. Everett B. Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees union, thanked Golden for his work and urged Congress to pass the bill, saying it would restore bargaining rights for federal employees.
Trump’s executive order, meanwhile, argued that national security concerns required limiting union influence.
“Protecting America’s national security is a core constitutional duty, and President Trump refuses to let union obstruction interfere with his efforts to protect Americans and our national interests,” the order said.
What Happens Next
The bill is expected to face a final House vote as soon as Thursday. If it passes, it would head to the Senate for debate and a vote.
If both chambers approve it, the legislation would go to Trump to be signed or vetoed. Until that process is completed, the executive order remains in effect.
