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119-hr-5206119th CongressWALLET

Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

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, Donald [D-NJ-1]

NJ • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5]

    MO • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Pallone, Frank [D-NJ-6]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 9/8/2025

  • Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Elfreth, Sarah [D-MD-3]

    MD • D

    Sponsored 9/15/2025

  • Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2025

  • Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/18/2025

  • Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/19/2025

  • Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/26/2025

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/3/2025

  • Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/21/2025

  • Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 10/24/2025

  • Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

  • Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]

    KY • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 1/12/2026

  • Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 3/3/2026

  • Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 4/15/2026

  • Rep. Mrvan, Frank J. [D-IN-1]

    IN • D

    Sponsored 4/23/2026

  • Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 5/29/2026

  • Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 6/2/2026

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Mannion, John W. [D-NY-22]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/24/2026

  • Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 7/2/2026

  • Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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