Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5206
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation This bill amends federal tax and social security laws to allow states to pay unemployment benefits to workers unable to work because of a labor dispute, such as a strike or lockout.
Key Provisions
- Adds a new requirement under the Internal Revenue Code that states must pay unemployment compensation to individuals involved in a labor dispute (including indirect effects) once one of these dates occurs: 14 days after a strike begins, a lockout begins, the employer hires permanent replacement workers, or the dispute ends.
- Exempts these individuals from the usual requirement under the Social Security Act that claimants must be available for work to receive benefits.
- Defines a labor dispute broadly to cover disagreements over wages, working conditions, or union representation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Current federal rules generally prohibit states from using unemployment insurance funds for workers on strike. This bill removes that restriction for qualifying labor disputes and sets specific start dates for benefit eligibility.
Potential Impacts
- Workers may receive income support during extended strikes or lockouts.
- State unemployment programs could face higher benefit payments.
- Employers might experience shifts in bargaining power during disputes.
- No direct effects on international relations are outlined.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Workers and labor unions participating in disputes.
- Employers involved in strikes or lockouts.
- State governments administering unemployment insurance.
- Federal agencies overseeing tax credits and social security programs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The changes tie into the existing federal-state unemployment insurance framework, where states must meet federal standards to receive tax credits. This could alter how states structure their programs without creating new constitutional issues.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]
Cosponsors (51)
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12], Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15], Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22] and 1 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-08: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-08: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (3 pages)