King: Congress's Job to Pass the National Right to Work Act

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Steve King released the following statement after introducing H.R. 946, the National Right to Work Act, in the 113th Congress. The bill would repeal the provisions in federal law that make "forced dues" the default labor law of the country. The forced due provisions of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Railway Labor Act (RLA) allow unions to extract dues from nonunion workers as a condition of employment. Twenty-four states have opted out of the forced dues clauses, but it remains the default law of the land. The National Right to Work Act was introduced today with 57 original cosponsors (full list below).

"No American should be forced to pay union dues just to get or keep a job," said King. "Today, states around the country are fighting to opt-out of the federal government's misguided 'forced dues' labor law, which forces workers who want nothing to do with a union to pay union dues just to keep their jobs. Congress created this problem in the first place, and it is Congress's job to fix it.

Americans are voting with their feet and their wallet, as Right to Work states have consistently gained in population, economic growth, and job creation relative to forced dues states. Passing the Right to Work Act would be a boon to our economy, and it would rightfully restore workplace freedom as the default labor law of this country."

Mark Mix, the President of the National Right to Work Committee, said the following about King's bill: "We're extremely pleased that Congressman King has introduced the National Right to Work Act, intensifying a growing debate about labor law and worker freedom in our country. This legislation would enshrine the common-sense principle – already enforced in nearly half of U.S. states – that no worker should be compelled to join or pay dues to a union just to get or keep a job. A National Right to Work Act enshrines worker freedom while providing significant economic benefits for workers. The National Right to Work Committee is mobilizing its 2.8 million members to call on their Congressperson to support the National Right to Work Act."

Full List of Original Cosponsors (57):

Bachmann, Michele

Bachus, Spencer

Barr, Andy

Barton, Joe

Black, Diane

Bonner, Jo

Boustany, Charles

Brady, Kevin

Broun, Paul

Bucshon, Larry

Chabot, Steve

Cole, Tom

Cotton, Tom

Cramer, Kevin

Crawford, Rick

Duncan, Jeff (SC)

Duncan, John (TN)

Fincher, Stephen

Fleming, John

Foxx, Virginia

Gardner, Cory

Gingrey, Phil

Gohmert, Louie

Goodlatte, Bob

Gosar, Paul

Graves, Tom

Griffin, Tim

Griffith, Morgan

Harper, Greg

Harris, Andy

Huelskamp, Tim

Huizenga, Bill

Jenkins, Lynn

Jordan, Jim

LaMalfa, Doug

Lamborn, Doug

Long, Billy

Lummis, Cynthia

McClintock, Tom

Meadows, Mark

Mulvaney, Mick

Nugent, Richard

Nunnelee, Alan

Palazzo, Steve

Perry, Scott

Pittenger, Robert

Poe, Ted

Roe, Phil

Ross, Denis

Salmon, Matt

Scalise, Steve

Schweikert, David

Stockman, Steve

Walberg, Tim

Westmoreland, Lynn

Wilson, Joe

Yoho, Ted