Steve King: Congress’ Job to Pass National Right to Work Act

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after introducing H.R.946, the National Right to Work Act, in the 113th Congress. The bill would repeal the provisions in federal law that make “forced dues” the default labor law of the country. The forced dues provisions of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Railway Labor Act (RLA) allow unions to extract dues from nonunion workers as a condition of employment. Twenty-four states have opted out of the forced dues clauses, but it remains the default law of the land. The National Right to Work Act was introduced today with 57 original cosponsors (full list below).

“No American should be forced to pay union dues just to get or keep a job,” said King.”Today, states around the country are fighting to opt-out of the federal government’s misguided ‘forced dues’ labor law, which forces workers who want nothing to do with a union to pay union dues just to keep their jobs. Congress created this problem in the first place, and it is Congress’s job to fix it.

Americans are voting with their feet and their wallet, as Right to Work states have consistently gained in population, economic growth, and job creation relative to forced dues states. Passing the Right to Work Act would be a boon to our economy, and it would rightfully restore workplace freedom as the default labor law of this country.”

Mark Mix, the President of the National Right to Work Committee, said the following about King’s bill:”We’re extremely pleased that Congressman King has introduced the National Right to Work Act, intensifying a growing debate about labor law and worker freedom in our country. This legislation would enshrine the common-sense principle – already enforced in nearly half of U.S. states – that no worker should be compelled to join or pay dues to a union just to get or keep a job. A National Right to Work Act enshrines worker freedom while providing significant economic benefits for workers. The National Right to Work Committee is mobilizing its 2.8 million members to call on their Congressperson to support the National Right to Work Act.”

Full List of Original Cosponsors (57):

1. Bachmann, Michele
2. Bachus, Spencer
3. Barr, Andy
4. Barton, Joe
5. Black, Diane
6. Bonner, Jo
7. Boustany, Charles
8. Brady, Kevin
9. Broun, Paul
10. Bucshon, Larry
11. Chabot, Steve
12. Cole, Tom
13. Cotton, Tom
14. Cramer, Kevin
15. Crawford, Rick
16. Duncan, Jeff (SC)
17. Duncan, John (TN)
18. Fincher, Stephen
19. Fleming, John
20. Foxx, Virginia
21. Gardner, Cory
22. Gingrey, Phil
23. Gohmert, Louie
24. Goodlatte, Bob
25. Gosar, Paul
26. Graves, Tom
27. Griffin, Tim
28. Griffith, Morgan
29. Harper, Greg
30. Harris, Andy
31. Huelskamp, Tim
32. Huizenga, Bill
33. Jenkins, Lynn
34. Jordan, Jim
35. LaMalfa, Doug
36. Lamborn, Doug
37. Long, Billy
38. Lummis, Cynthia
39. McClintock, Tom
40. Meadows, Mark
41. Mulvaney, Mick
42. Nugent, Richard
43. Nunnelee, Alan
44. Palazzo, Steve
45. Perry, Scott
46. Pittenger, Robert
47. Poe, Ted
48. Roe, Phil
49. Ross, Denis
50. Salmon, Matt
51. Scalise, Steve
52. Schweikert, David
53. Stockman, Steve
54. Walberg, Tim
55. Westmoreland, Lynn
56. Wilson, Joe
57. Yoho, Ted

Photo Credit: Victoria Pickering via Flickr (CC-By-NC-ND 3.0)