ATR Applauds Committee Passage of the “Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallets Act”

The House Oversight Committee on Wednesday voted to approve H.R. 9594, the Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallets Act, and send it to the House floor for consideration.

Americans for Tax Reform applauds the progress made on this important legislation and encourages all members of Congress to support H.R. 9594 for floor passage.

H.R. 9594, which was introduced by Congressman Scott Perry (R-Pa.), would allow federal agencies to charge public-sector labor unions for the employee hours and agency resources which are used on activities that serve those unions. Currently, federal employees who are union members can spend their on-the-clock hours working for a union instead of doing their jobs, while still being paid their taxpayer-funded salaries. The unions also use government facilities and resources to conduct their work at taxpayer expense.

H.R. 9594 passed through the Oversight Committee on a party-line vote of 21 to 18, with all Republicans in support.

Earlier on Wednesday, Americans for Tax Reform sent a coalition letter to Congress in support of the bill alongside several other free-market groups. The letter was submitted into the congressional record by Rep. Perry during the committee markup on the bill.

“The provisions within this Act— which would charge labor unions for any ‘official time’ used by federal employees, as well as the use of any agency resources such as office space and equipment— are instrumental in creating a more accountable and efficient government. Additionally, this legislation will benefit all Americans by ensuring that taxpayer money is spent wisely and that any misuse is swiftly identified and rectified,” wrote the free-market groups in the letter.

Public-sector unions negotiate directly against the interests of the taxpayer. American families should not have to pay for the salaries and resources used by unions in those negotiations. Congressman Perry’s bill will hold public-sector union bosses accountable and ensure that these misspent taxpayer dollars can be recovered.

Americans for Tax Reform urges members of Congress to pass H.R. 9594, the Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallets Act, when it comes to the floor.