Watchdog Urges Sen. Manchin to Not Co-Sponsor PRO Act

For Immediate Release

Contact: David Williams (202-258-6527)

Washington, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) expressed disappointment that Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) has opted to co-sponsor The Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This bill would expand the definition of employee by narrowing the definition of independent contractors. The legislation is also a massive giveaway to labor unions by nullifying the right-to-work laws in 28 states.

In response, TPA President David Williams offered the following comment:

“The PRO Act would hurt workers in the gig economy who prefer their existing, flexible arrangement to traditional employment by reducing the ability of workers to control their own schedules. During the COVID-19 crisis, thousands of people have worked as independent contractors to either supplement their incomes or transition from a more traditional work environment. Jeopardizing those financial gains with the PRO Act would be foolish and hurt the economy.

“The PRO Act would also stop American workers who want to be able to provide goods and services without being forced to pay dues to corrupt labor unions. The bill would also force employers to provide their employees’ personal information to these labor unions. We have seen a number of examples already of unions pressuring employees to support union-backed initiatives. This will exacerbate this and further limit worker freedom.

“Over half of the states in the nation have right-to-work laws, which protect workers’ rights and their paychecks from these unions. West Virginia is one of those right-to-work states and West Virginia voters continue to elect state officials who uphold that policy. Sen. Manchin is putting politics above his constituency by co-sponsoring this legislation. We hope he will reconsider and that other federal elected officials will avoid any and all support for this damaging legislation.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.