H.R. 5054: Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2025 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, known as the Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2025, proposes changes to existing U.S. law regarding threats or violence that interfere with commerce. The main points of the bill include:

Prohibition of Violence and Extortion

The bill aims to expand the enforcement of laws against those who obstruct or affect commerce through robbery, extortion, or threats of violence. It makes it clear that anyone who engages in these activities could face significant fines (up to $100,000) or imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for key terms related to its provisions:

Commerce: Refers to trade or business activities, including those occurring within U.S. territories and between states or other jurisdictions.
Extortion: Involves obtaining property from another person through threats, coercion, or misuse of authority.
Labor Dispute: Defined in accordance with existing labor relations laws.
Robbery: Involves taking property unlawfully through violence or threat of violence.

Exemptions

The bill includes exemptions concerning certain conduct that would not fall under its prohibitions:

Activities that are incidental to peaceful picketing during labor disputes are exempted.
Minor injuries and damages that do not constitute a pattern of violent conduct are also exempted.
Local and state authorities would handle violations related to conduct defined as incidental or minor.

Impact on Other Laws

The bill specifies that it will not alter existing laws such as:

The Clayton Act, which relates to antitrust regulations.
The Norris-LaGuardia Act, which covers labor disputes and freedom of speech and assembly.
The National Labor Relations Act, which governs relations between unions and employers.
The Railway Labor Act, which deals with labor organizations in the railroad and airline industries.

Moreover, federal jurisdiction would still apply to any violations that could also breach local or state laws, even if they occur during a labor dispute.