Bill · S. 2731· Senate(119-S-2731)
Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 9/8/2025
- Last activity
- 9/8/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Adam Schiff
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025" seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Social Security Act. This bill aims to allow individuals engaged in a labor dispute to receive unemployment benefits. It covers people unable to work due to disputes regarding employment terms, tenure, or conditions. The legislation also applies to those unable to work as an indirect result of such disputes. Benefits would begin based on specific timelines related to strikes, lock-outs, or the hiring of permanent replacement workers.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would union members be better off under this?+8
The bill directly benefits union members by allowing them to receive unemployment compensation while participating in strikes or lock-outs.
Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs?+7
The bill extends unemployment benefit eligibility to individuals unable to work due to labor disputes, such as strikes or lock-outs.
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?+6
By providing financial support during labor disputes, the bill strengthens the economic position of workers engaged in collective bargaining or strikes.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Unemployment compensation for labor disputes: Individuals who are employed but unable to work due to a labor dispute—including controversies over terms, tenure, or conditions of employment—could receive compensation as though they were unemployed. This includes those unable to work as an indirect result of the dispute. (Section 2(a))
-
Exemption from work availability requirements: The bill amends the Social Security Act so that individuals unable to work due to a labor dispute are not subject to the standard claimant requirements regarding work availability. (Section 2(b))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Union Workers+8Good For Low Income Households+4Good For Middle Class Households+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Unemployment Benefits+7Improves Union Protections+6
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- 2/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/27/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/3/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/8/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont