Bipartisan Push in Congress to Reverse Trump’s Federal Union Order Gains Momentum
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a notable display of bipartisan cooperation, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have successfully passed legislation aimed at reversing a 2020 executive order by former President Donald Trump that restricted federal workers’ union rights. The bill, championed by Representative Jared Golden, a Democrat from Maine, garnered the support of all House Democrats and 20 Republicans, signaling a rare fracture within GOP ranks on labor issues.
Golden, a moderate Democrat known for his pragmatic approach, emphasized that collective bargaining rights for federal employees transcend party lines. “When I said on the House floor that union collective bargaining rights are not a partisan issue, I meant it,” Golden told Fox News Digital. “The greatest evidence of that is union members themselves. They vote Democrat, they vote Republican. They don’t all vote, but they might vote if they knew that someone supported their collective bargaining rights.”
The legislation seeks to undo an executive order issued by President Trump that limited the scope of union activities and bargaining rights for federal employees. The move was widely criticized by labor advocates who argued that it undermined workers’ ability to negotiate fair wages and working conditions.
Since introducing the bill in April, Golden has worked closely with moderate Republicans to build support. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, a Republican who co-sponsored the legislation, has been instrumental in rallying GOP backing. The bill’s momentum in the House has now shifted to the Senate, where a companion measure introduced in September has begun to attract bipartisan support.
Currently, two Republican senators — Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine — have expressed support for the Senate version. Collins, who has a history of supporting union-related issues, reportedly signed on after the House vote. Golden, who previously worked for Collins, praised her endorsement, saying, “She’s obviously a very important senator.”
Golden and Fitzpatrick are actively lobbying Senate colleagues to expand support. “The real push is gonna be coming in the days and weeks ahead,” Golden said. He stressed the importance of maintaining bipartisan messaging and ensuring that Republican co-sponsors are comfortable with the bill’s language and approach.
The effort comes amid broader tensions within the Republican Party, where some members are willing to break ranks on issues such as healthcare and labor rights despite pressure from former President Trump and party leadership. The 20 House Republicans who voted with Democrats on Golden’s bill reflect a growing faction within the GOP open to bipartisan collaboration on certain policy fronts.
This legislative push also aligns with a broader national conversation about the role of unions in the federal workforce. According to the Office of Personnel Management, federal unions represent millions of workers who provide essential services across government agencies. Advocates argue that restoring collective bargaining rights will improve morale and efficiency in the public sector.
As the Senate considers the bill, observers note that its passage could signal a shift in the political landscape regarding labor rights. The Congressional Research Service highlights that reversing the Trump-era order would reinstate many bargaining privileges curtailed in recent years, potentially affecting negotiations on wages, benefits, and workplace conditions.
Golden’s bipartisan approach underscores a strategic effort to bridge divides in a polarized Congress. “It’s important to do it in a way that’s bipartisan, to create space for members of both parties to work together,” he said. With the Senate’s deliberation underway, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this rare cross-party alliance can translate into legislative success.
For updates on the bill’s progress and federal labor policies, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards provides resources and official information on collective bargaining rights and union activities.
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