Why It Matters

Public support for unions is at historic highs, yet union membership continues declining. The federation is pouring resources into federal advocacy because state-level regulatory capture and shifting labor board dynamics threaten to reverse organizing gains. The Protecting the Right to Organize Act represents the labor movement’s best hope to rebuild organizing capacity. Without federal legislative victories, unions face an increasingly hostile regulatory environment that favors employers over workers seeking representation.

By the Numbers

The AFL-CIO spent $860,000 on lobbying in Q3 2025, all conducted through its in-house team rather than external firms. This represents consistent strategy—the federation has spent $56.8 million across 77 disclosure reports since 2003.

The eight-person lobbying roster includes several Capitol Hill veterans. Guerino Joseph Calemine III served nearly 12 years in Congress (2003-2015), culminating as Staff Director for the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Leticia F. Delgado, added in January 2025, brings over five years of Senate experience from Sen. Tom Udall’s office. Other team members like Charity C. Wilson and Gregory L. Jefferson Sr. have represented labor organizations since the early 2000s.

The Agenda

The AFL-CIO is lobbying on a comprehensive worker-focused agenda. The federation’s primary priority is the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 (H.R. 20). Beyond that marquee bill, the AFL-CIO is actively engaged on:

  • Labor and worker protections, including workplace classification and NLRB funding
  • Government appropriations and the National Defense Authorization Act
  • Family economic policy, particularly the Child Care for Working Families Act (S.2295)
  • Trade policy, including USMCA and CHIPS Act implementation
  • Social insurance and retirement, including Social Security reform
  • Healthcare standards and federal employee benefits
  • Immigration policy

Broader Context

Congress is advancing a starkly divided labor agenda as 2025 unfolds. Public support for unions remains historically strong at 68% approval, yet this masks severe partisan splits: 90% of Democrats approve versus just 41% of Republicans.

The disconnect between public sentiment and organizing reality creates urgency. Union membership reached just 9.9% in 2024, down from 20.1% in 1983, despite workers’ demonstrated appetite for unionization at Amazon and Starbucks.

The regulatory landscape is shifting dramatically. The Trump administration has fundamentally altered the National Labor Relations Board, with experts warning that Biden-era pro-worker decisions face reversal. Trade policy adds pressure—Trump tariffs are projected to impose an average tax increase of nearly $1,300 per household in 2025.

Between The Lines

The PRO Act remains the centerpiece, with Democratic members vocally championing its passage. House hearings on "Restoring Balance: Ensuring Fairness and Transparency at the NLRB" revealed sharp partisan divisions, with Republicans criticizing pro-union NLRB actions while Democrats defended them.

A coordinated coalition—including the Laborers’ International Union, Machinists union, and Technical Engineers—is actively lobbying on pro-worker initiatives. The Child Care for Working Families Act shows unexpected bipartisan interest as workforce participation strategy.

Competitive Landscape

The AFL-CIO operates within a crowded labor advocacy ecosystem where multiple unions pursue aligned priorities. Organizations including the Laborers’ International Union, Machinists, and Technical Engineers are all lobbying on the PRO Act, demonstrating unified front on worker rights.

Democratic members including Rep. Jared Golden, Sen. Brian Schatz, and Sen. Bernie Sanders have championed the PRO Act, while Republican opposition remains entrenched.

The Bottom Line

The AFL-CIO‘s Q3 2025 lobbying reflects a federation working to advance worker protections amid shifting political dynamics. The $860,000 investment through experienced in-house staff—including former House committee staff director Guerino Joseph Calemine III—occurs within highly polarized Congress where strong Democratic support faces organized Republican opposition. Simultaneous NLRB changes threaten prior worker-friendly regulatory gains, making federal legislative victories increasingly critical for labor’s future.

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