Bill Samuel, Government Affairs Director for the AFL-CIO, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how important the November election will be to progressing the goals of the labor movement, and why the Democrats are not getting enough credit for their accomplishments.
Samuel said the 117th Congress has been the most productive Congress in a decade, thanks to a remarkable string of legislative successes, despite barely holding a Democratic majority and a U.S. Senate burdened with the limitations of the filibuster. But many sadly overlook the progress Democrats have made, he added.
If Senate Democrats manage to win in Ohio and Pennsylvania, they may increase their majority to 52 seats and be able to amend Senate rules to abolish the filibuster, he said. This would make the passage of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act a realistic possibility and accomplish numerous goals of the labor movement, he added.
Samuel also talked about the likelihood the U.S. Senate passes a bill this week to fund the government and avoid a shutdown.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.