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
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
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Pingree
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
Barragan
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Pallone
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
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
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
Mullin
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
Cisneros
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
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 3/3/2026
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Mrvan
IN • D
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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