Press Releases

Washington, D.C.– 11/17/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) became the 218th signature on Discharge Petition 6, which would advance H.R. 2550, the Protect America’s Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) and Jared Golden (ME-02) to restore collective bargaining rights for tens of thousands of federal employees.

The bill would reverse a prior executive order that stripped collective bargaining protections from workers across multiple federal agencies, including the Departments of Defense, State, Veterans Affairs, Justice, and Energy, as well as certain employees in other key departments. The order affected roughly 67% of the federal workforce, many of whom are veterans or career public servants in non–national security roles.

With Rep. Nick Lalota's (NY-01) signature as the 217th and Lawler’s signature as the 218th, the discharge petition has reached the 218-member threshold required to force a vote on the House floor.

“Every American deserves the right to have a voice in the workplace, including those who serve their country every single day. Supporting workers and ensuring good government are not opposing ideas. They go hand in hand. Restoring collective bargaining rights strengthens our federal workforce and helps deliver more effective, accountable service to the American people,” said Congressman Lawler. 

“AFGE thanks Congressman Lawler for his courage in compelling a House vote on HR 2550, the Protect America’s Workforce Act, to restore collective bargaining rights across the federal government.  Through the efforts of Congressman Lawler and his 217 like-minded bipartisan colleagues, the full House will get to vote on this critical measure that restores workplace rights first enacted nearly five decades ago.  Collective bargaining gives employees a fundamental voice in making the government work better for the American people, and we thank Congressman Lawler for recognizing that America functions best when labor and management cooperate toward common goals.  We urge House passage of the bill and swift approval by the Senate and the President,” said Dr. Everett B. Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE).

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Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.