Labor Caucus Unveils Second Slate of Legislative Endorsements
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, on International Workers’ Day, the Congressional Labor Caucus unveiled its second slate of legislative endorsements to advance core Caucus priorities, including empowering workers to take collective action, strengthening workplace safety standards and enforcement, and investing in high-quality workforce training.
“These bills from Labor Caucus members build worker power, improve workers’ health and safety on the job, and invest in the next generation of America’s workforce,” said Congressional Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Steven Horsford (D-NV), and Mark Pocan (D-WI). “We formed the Congressional Labor Caucus to give workers a voice in Congress, and that mission is reflected in this latest round of endorsements. Going forward, we will continue working with Caucus members and our colleagues in Congress to pass these important pro-worker bills.”
This endorsement slate includes the following legislation:
Worker Power
- H.R. 6063 – Empowering Striking Workers Act
Labor Caucus Leads: Reps. Adam Schiff (CA-30), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Donald Norcross (NJ-01)
Bill Summary: Makes striking workers eligible for unemployment insurance benefits after 14 days of striking.
- H.R.4845 – Food Secure Strikers Act
Labor Caucus Leads: Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35)
Bill Summary: Repeals the existing restriction on striking workers from receiving SNAP benefits.
- H.R.1447 – Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act
Labor Caucus Leads: Reps. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and Susan Wild (PA-7)
Bill Summary: Prevents employers from an employer from terminating health care coverage for workers who are on strike or locked out.
Worker Safety
- H.R.6634 – Workers POWER Act
Labor Caucus Leads: Reps. Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Greg Casar (TX-35)
Bill Summary: Strengthens capacity and resources for the Department of Labor to improve labor law enforcement by cracking down on wage theft, child labor, occupational safety and health hazards, and other labor violations.
- H.R.2998 – Protecting America's Workers Act
Labor Caucus Leads: Reps. Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Bobby Scott (VA-03)
Bill Summary: Strengthens and modernizes OSHA by ensuring employers address hazardous working conditions, protect whistleblowers from retaliation, and hold unscrupulous employers accountable for OSHA violations that harm workers.
- H.R.4897 – Heat Illness, Injury and Fatality Prevention Act
Labor Caucus Leads: Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07)
Bill Summary: Directs OSHA to establish a permanent, federal standard to protect workers against occupational exposure to excessive heat, both in indoor and outdoor environments.
Workforce Training
- H.R.7315 – Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act
Labor Caucus Lead: Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01)
Bill Summary: Provides grants to support the development of pre-apprenticeship programs in the building and construction trades that serve underrepresented populations, including individuals from low income and rural census tracts.
- H.R.1536 – Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Programs (LEAP) Act
Labor Caucus Lead: Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL-13)
Bill Summary: Provides a $1,500 federal tax credit for businesses hiring new registered apprentices.
- H.R.3179 – Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act
Labor Caucus Lead: Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02)
Bill Summary: Directs the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs for (1) expanding or supporting outreach to high schools, local businesses, local workforce development boards, and apprenticeship intermediaries; and (2) providing advising and support services to students who are enrolled in these apprenticeship programs.
- H.R.2900 – Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act
Labor Caucus Lead: Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01)
Bill Summary: Establishes a new initiative at the Department of Labor to grow and expand highly successful Apprenticeship Hubs