Basics

For the better part of a century, dating back to the National Labor Relations Act of 1935 (NLRA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA), the ideological battle lines of labor policy have been clearly defined. Progressive Democrats have largely supported stronger labor protections and more favorable union policies, while conservative Republicans have largely supported business interests. In recent election cycles, and especially in the 2024 election, political realignment has blurred these lines. 

Entering the 119th Congress, President Trump and Senate Republicans have adopted new approaches to labor policy and broken through the traditional dichotomy that has long dominated this conversation. In early 2025, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) stepped in front of the Republican leadership to voice some new positions on labor and union legislation. In the fall, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced his own legislation, further reframing this long-standing debate. Now, progressive labor advocates and the business community are responding to the new movement in the GOP and bracing for potential major shifts in 2026. This Basic will examine the evolution of the labor policy debate in the 119th Congress to date and the path ahead.