Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine announces plans to file a dismissal motion to force a vote on his bill to repeal an executive order restricting collective bargaining for federal employees in Washington, DC, July 17, 2025. (Photo via Rep. Jared Golden)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House of Representatives agreed Wednesday to consider a bill that would repeal President Donald Trump’s executive order stripping about a million federal workers of collective bargaining rights.
The 222-200 The vote was a rare bipartisan agreement by the House to censure a policy decision by the president. Thirteen Republicans joined all Democrats in voting for the resolution.
Jared Golden of Maine, a Democrat, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a Republican, forced the vote by majority vote Enough signatures by lawmakers as part of a legislative action known as a dismissal motion. The process allows rank-and-file members to force the chamber to vote on measures not advanced by the majority party’s leadership, and this is how bills typically advance to a vote.
The vote on Wednesday was about discharge the bill resign from the committee and bring it up for a vote. A vote on the bill itself is expected on Thursday.
The dismissal motion received the required 218 signatures from 213 Democrats and five Republicans: Fitzpatrick, Don Bacon of Nebraska, Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, and Nick LaLota and Mike Lawler of New York.
Trump in March signed an executive order That banned collective bargaining agreements for federal agencies that deal with national security.
These agencies include, but are not confined to, the Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, State, and Energy, as well as the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Coast Guard, most Justice Department facilities, and several pandemic response and refugee resettlement agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services.
“Protecting America’s national security is a core constitutional duty, and President Trump refuses to allow union obstruction to undermine his efforts to protect Americans and our national interests,” the order states.
Federal law enforcement and firefighters are exempt from the order.
Collective bargaining agreements for federal employees are somewhat confined. Workers cannot strike or negotiate wages or benefits, but they can push for better working conditions, such as protection from retaliation, discrimination and illegal firings.
