H.R.1210 - Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallets Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1210, the "Protecting Taxpayers' Wallets Act of 2025," aims to amend Title 5 of the United States Code, specifically concerning federal labor-management relations. The bill mandates that labor organizations compensate federal agencies for the resources and employee time utilized by the unions. This includes the value of union time for labor representatives and the cost of agency resources provided for union activities.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R.1210 would require federal agencies to charge labor unions for the use of agency resources and employee time. Non-payment could result in penalties, including the termination of union certifications and denial of union time and resources. The bill also establishes mechanisms for tracking union time and enforcing compliance, potentially altering the financial dynamics between federal agencies and labor organizations.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially reduces the financial burden on taxpayers by ensuring labor unions pay for the resources they use.
- May increase accountability and transparency in the use of federal resources by labor organizations.
- Could incentivize labor unions to use resources more efficiently.
- The funds collected are transferred to the general fund of the Treasury, which may help reduce the deficit.
- The bill mandates regular compliance evaluations by agency Inspectors General, promoting oversight.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Could weaken labor unions by increasing their financial burden and administrative requirements.
- May lead to increased conflict between agencies and unions due to disputes over resource valuation and time tracking.
- The penalties for non-payment, including the termination of union certification, could disrupt labor relations.
- The bill may disproportionately affect smaller unions with limited resources.
- Increased administrative burden on agencies to track and bill unions for resource usage.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment is complex. While Congress has broad authority to regulate federal labor relations under Article I, Section 8 (necessary and proper clause), the potential impact on labor organizations' ability to represent employees could raise concerns under the First Amendment (freedom of association and speech). The bill does not appear to infringe on any other specific constitutional provisions. However, the extent to which the fees charged are reasonable and do not unduly burden the unions' representational capacity would be a key factor in determining its overall constitutionality.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).