In a 222-200 vote on Dec. 10, 2025, 13 House Republicans defected from GOP leadership to join all Democrats in advancing Rep. Jared Golden’s (D-Maine) Protect America’s Workforce Act. The bill, forced through a discharge petition, repeals Trump’s March 2025 executive order that stripped collective bargaining rights from ~1 million federal workers.
Aimed at protecting veterans and national security staff, many of whom are unionized, it managed to face down real Republicans in the House and make it through with final passage in that chamber on Thursday, and is now headed to the Senate, where it faces hurdles but could pass with similar RINO defections. But it will still run into a likely Trump veto.
In any case, the 13 cowardly Republicans included Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.). Likewise, 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) crossed the aisle to betray the president.
Reacting to this vote, Golden issued a self-congratulatory announcement. “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,” the Democrat whined.
Continuing with his tiresom rand by blaming Republicans for a myriad of problems, he complained, “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.”
Issuing a response, Liz Shuler, AFL-CIO President, praised the decision. “The labor movement fought back against the largest act of union-busting in American history by doing what we do best: organizing. We commend Representatives Golden and Fitzpatrick for leading us to a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act and urge every lawmaker to support this bill,” the union organizer alleged.
The treacherous Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican who co-sponsored the bill, crowed about his backstabbing behavior. “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 claimed.
"*" indicates required fields
Continuing his unsubstantiated comments, he added, “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.”
Dr. Everett B. Kelley, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees union, declared, “AFGE will forever be grateful to Congressman Golden for his tireless efforts to restore collective bargaining rights for federal employees.”
Wrapping up his remarks, Kelley noted, “Time and again, he has answered the call to defend the working men and women who keep this country safe and secure, healthy and prosperous. I urge all members of Congress to support the bipartisan Protect America’s Workforce Act offered by Reps. Golden and Fitzpatrick and enact it into law.”
Watch Trump comment on firing Swamp bureaucrats here: