Labor Caucus Endorses VA Employee Fairness Act and Tax Fairness for Workers Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) released the following statement announcing the Caucus’s endorsement of the VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021 (H.R. 1948) and the Tax Fairness for Workers Act (H.R. 2549):

“Healthcare workers and providers at VA hospitals have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Labor Caucus Co-chairs said. “Throughout this difficult time, these vital workers have continued to give our nation’s veterans the excellent care they deserve. By eliminating unfair restrictions on their collective bargaining rights, we can empower VA employees to better advocate for themselves and their patients and ensure the VA is a great place to give and receive care.

“Union workers are the backbone of the middle class,” the Co-chairs continued. “Allowing hard-working Americans to deduct their union dues and other employee expenses from their taxes just makes sense. The Labor Caucus is proud to endorse Chairman Takano’s VA Employee Fairness Act and Rep. Lamb’s Tax Fairness for Workers Act, and we urge swift passage in the House and Senate for both of these bills."

“I appreciate the Labor Caucus’s endorsement of my VA Employee Fairness Act,” Veteran Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano said. “My bill restores fundamental labor protections for all VA frontline healthcare providers who have gone above and beyond to serve veterans throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to codifying these protections into law and working with my colleagues to strengthen the workforce tasked with serving those who served our country."

“The Labor Caucus understands that we must do more to help working families afford food and medicine, pay their mortgage and manage their everyday expenses,” said Representative Conor Lamb (D-PA). “The Tax Fairness for Workers Act restores critical deductions for union members and workers, putting money back in their pockets, and I look forward to continuing to work to pass this important legislation.”