Desiree Hoffman, Assistant Legislative Director for the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), returned to the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and gave her thoughts on President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union Address.
Hoffman believes it was important for the President to call on Congress to pass the PRO Act. She could not recall another president blatantly call out a new Congress to pass such an important piece of legislation. However, given the makeup of the House of Representatives, she is unsure if the PRO Act will see a vote.
When speaking about the PRO Act, the President made it clear that he believes every American has the right to join a union. Hoffman said the Senate needs to focus on passing union-busting legislation. Currently, tax breaks are available to companies who hire union busters. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Penn.) has proposed a bill that would take away those tax breaks and allow organizers a better opportunity to help workers form a union.
Biden also stressed the need to save two entitlement programs, which Hoffman acknowledged union’s spend a lot of time to protect - Medicaid and Social Security. She said Biden was strategic in the way he brought up those programs and the number of times he discussed the need to ensure they will not be sunset.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.