13 Republicans Vote to Nullify Trump’s Executive Order

In a rare break from party unity, more than a dozen House Republicans aligned with Democrats on Wednesday to advance legislation targeting one of President Donald J. Trump’s major executive actions — a move that immediately drew attention across Capitol Hill as the administration continues its push for a leaner, more accountable federal workforce.

The House voted 222–200 to proceed with a bill designed to overturn President Trump’s March executive order that ended collective bargaining rights for roughly one million federal employees. The measure represents one of the most significant intraparty challenges to the administration’s workforce-reform agenda since the start of Trump’s second term.

Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, a Democrat known for siding frequently with labor unions, spearheaded the effort by deploying a discharge petition — a procedural maneuver that allows lawmakers to force a vote on legislation even without the backing of House leadership, provided the petition gains signatures from a majority of members, Newsweek reported.

Thirteen Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the petition: Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Tom Kean (R-N.J.), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Chris Smith (R-N.J.), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), and Mike Turner (R-Ohio).

Golden’s bill — the Protect America’s Workforce Act (PAWA) — seeks to reinstate collective bargaining rights across numerous agencies, including those involved with national defense, veterans’ care, health services, and federal security operations. Many of the workers affected by the executive order are military veterans who occupy critical national-service roles.

President Trump’s reform order barred collective bargaining for employees in portions of the Departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Energy. It also extended to select positions in the Departments of Homeland Security, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Interior, and Agriculture.

Unlike private-sector workers, federal employees already operate under significant limitations: they are prohibited from striking and may not bargain collectively over pay or benefits. Their remaining negotiations generally cover workplace rules, disciplinary procedures, and other operational matters.

The House vote on Wednesday formally clears the way for debate and a final vote on the legislation. The bill won the support of nearly all Democrats and several Republican co-sponsors, including Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Don Bacon, Rob Bresnahan, Nick LaLota, and Mike Lawler. Four additional Republicans co-sponsored the bill but did not sign onto the discharge petition.

Golden defended his measure by invoking national security and the needs of workers in his district. “President Trump said ending collective bargaining was about protecting our national defense. But in my District, many affected workers build our warships and care for our veterans.

These workers make our country safer and stronger every day. America did not vote to silence these workers, but this bill gives all of us a chance to restore their voice,” Golden said, per Newsweek.

“If the majority we built over the past few months sticks together, we can overturn this union-busting executive order, and we can show America that this body will protect workers’ rights,” he added.

Republican co-sponsor Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick argued that the rare bipartisan coalition demonstrated the House’s ability to function beyond partisan divides. “Today’s vote is a reminder of what this House can accomplish when we honor its purpose and allow the people’s will to move forward. A bipartisan majority affirmed that protecting America’s security and respecting America’s workers are not competing priorities — they are inseparable.”

He continued: “Federal workers, many of whom are veterans, are the backbone of our public service. 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. I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Golden in leading this bipartisan effort. Tomorrow, let’s carry this unity across the finish line, and restore the rights that keep our federal workforce — and the nation they serve — strong.”

AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler praised the legislative challenge to Trump’s executive action, claiming victory for organized labor. “The labor movement fought back against the largest act of union-busting in American history by doing what we do best: organizing.”