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H.R. 5206: Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025, aims to amend existing laws to provide unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work due to labor disputes, such as strikes or lockouts. Below are the key components of what the bill proposes:

Unemployment Benefits for Striking Workers

The bill modifies the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals who are engaged in a labor dispute to receive unemployment compensation. Specifically, it includes provisions for those who are unable to work because of various types of labor disputes, which can involve disagreements about employment terms and conditions. The eligibility for these benefits would begin based on certain specific events:

The date that is 14 days after a strike officially begins.
The date on which a work lockout begins.
The date on which an employer hires permanent replacement workers.
The date on which the strike or lockout ends, provided the individual becomes unemployed.

Changes to Work Availability Requirements

The bill also seeks to amend the Social Security Act to create an exemption from the usual requirement that individuals must be available for work in order to claim unemployment benefits. This exemption would specifically apply to those who are unable to work due to a labor dispute as defined in the new amendment to the Internal Revenue Code.

Purpose of the Bill

The overarching goal of the Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2025 is to ensure that workers engaged in labor disputes have the financial support they need during periods when they cannot work due to these disputes. The bill aims to provide a safety net for workers, allowing them to receive unemployment benefits even if they are involved in disputes with their employers over employment conditions or representation.

Timeline and Legislative Process

The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on September 8, 2025, and subsequently referred to the Committee on Ways and Means for further consideration. Its future will depend on discussions and evaluations by committee members and subsequent votes in Congress.