What Happened?

One of the country's largest unions, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), is adding education and family issues, including abortion and adoption, to its federal lobbying agenda. SEIU represents public service workers across the country, including school employees, bus drivers, and child care providers.

Why Does It Matter To Me?

If you work in a public school, ride a school bus, or rely on subsidized child care, SEIU is one of the organizations speaking on your behalf in D.C. The union's lobbying touches issues that affect those workers' pay, job protections, and workplace rules. SEIU also tracked and opposed legislation that would block a federal nursing home staffing rule, with multiple team members lobbying on that issue. Federal collective bargaining agreements that protect public employees from retaliation and illegal firings are also part of the union's focus.

Both Sides, Now

SEIU's position on the bills it tracks is clear in some cases: they supported the Protect America's Workforce Act and opposed legislation that would prohibit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Staffing Rule. The union's lobbying agenda spans both the House and the Senate.
They filed a lobbying registration amendment on Aug. 27. The union conducts this work in-house, meaning its own staff, not outside consultants, handle the outreach to Congress. The union's lobbying team includes Director of Legislation John Gray III, Director of Government Relations Jaya Chatterjee, Deputy Director of Government Relations Isaiah Wilson, Assistant Director for Legislation Eunice Ikene, Assistant Director for Legislation and Health Care Dalen Harris, and Senior Legislative Program Manager Alisa Farley.

What Happens Next?

Each bill SEIU is monitoring must clear committee review, pass both the House and Senate, and be signed by the president before it becomes law. None of the bills cited in the filing have a scheduled floor vote at this time. SEIU also tracked Senate Bill 1332, Senate Bill 852, and House Resolution 20, among others. This activity reflects lobbying by a private organization, not a congressional vote or executive action. Congress has the power to advance, amend, or block any of the bills SEIU is tracking. SEIU's lobbying team includes staff who work on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which positions the union to engage as those measures move, or stall, through the legislative process.

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