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H.R. 5206

BillFederalHouseIn Committee
Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · September 8, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Congress
119th (2025–2027)
Introduced
September 8, 2025
Cosponsors (51)
51D 0R
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Summary

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This bill would allow workers involved in labor disputes—including strikes and lockouts—to receive unemployment benefits, a benefit currently unavailable to them under federal law. The legislation amends tax and Social Security rules so that striking workers can collect unemployment compensation starting either 14 days after a strike begins, when a lockout starts, when employers hire permanent replacement workers, or when the dispute ends and workers become unemployed, whichever comes first. The bill also exempts these workers from the typical requirement to be actively seeking other employment while receiving benefits. The measure directly affects workers engaged in labor disputes and their families by providing income support during strikes and lockouts, though the bill specifies no direct federal funding amount, leaving implementation costs to existing unemployment insurance systems. This represents a significant policy shift that would increase the financial protection available to striking workers compared to current law.

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