Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Norcross
Introduced
Summary
Expands unemployment benefits to workers sidelined by strikes and lockouts. This bill would let people who cannot work because of a labor dispute collect unemployment benefits and removes the usual work-availability requirement while the dispute continues.
Show full summary
- Workers and families: Striking or locked-out workers would be eligible for unemployment compensation even if still formally employed. Benefits could start as early as 14 days after a strike begins or when an employer hires permanent replacement workers.
- Claimants' eligibility: Claimants affected by a labor dispute would be exempt from the Social Security Act's work-availability requirement while the dispute persists or until they become unemployed after it ends.
- Program rules: The bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act so state unemployment programs treat these individuals as unemployed for benefit purposes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Unemployment benefits during strikes and lockouts
If enacted, you could get unemployment benefits if you are employed but cannot work because of a labor dispute, strike, or lockout. The bill uses a broad definition, covering disputes over pay, hours, conditions, or union representation, and indirect shutdowns. Payments would start on the earlier of: 14 days after a strike begins; the day a lockout begins; the day your employer hires permanent replacement workers; or the day the dispute ends and you are unemployed. You would not need to meet the usual available-for-work rule while the dispute keeps you from working, which could help replace lost pay.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Norcross
NJ • D
Cosponsors
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Simon
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Magaziner
RI • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
McIver
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Hoyle (OR)
OR • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Deluzio
PA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Ramirez
IL • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Pingree
ME • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Cleaver
MO • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Casar
TX • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Jayapal
WA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Pallone
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Menendez
NJ • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Chu
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Dingell
MI • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Pocan
WI • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Omar
MN • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Randall
WA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Carson
IN • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Krishnamoorthi
IL • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Nadler
NY • D
Sponsored 9/16/2025
Evans (PA)
PA • D
Sponsored 9/17/2025
Mullin
CA • D
Sponsored 9/18/2025
DeLauro
CT • D
Sponsored 9/19/2025
Titus
NV • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Cisneros
CA • D
Sponsored 9/26/2025
Thanedar
MI • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Lynch
MA • D
Sponsored 10/3/2025
Tonko
NY • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Brownley
CA • D
Sponsored 10/21/2025
McDonald Rivet
MI • D
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Waters
CA • D
Sponsored 11/10/2025
Foushee
NC • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
McGarvey
KY • D
Sponsored 12/18/2025
Goldman (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
Tlaib
MI • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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