In a stunning display of bipartisan defiance, 13 House Republicans crossed party lines on Wednesday evening to support a Democrat-led effort to undo President Donald Trump’s recent executive order curbing federal worker unions’ bargaining power.

This unexpected move, centered on the Protect America's Workforce Act, saw a procedural vote pass 222-200, setting the stage for further debate and votes in the House on Thursday, Fox News reported. 

Earlier this year, in March 2025, President Trump issued an executive order that restricted collective bargaining rights for unions across multiple federal agencies, including Defense, State, and Homeland Security, among others. The order sparked immediate backlash from labor advocates who saw it as a direct attack on workers’ ability to negotiate fair terms. For many conservatives, though, it was a necessary step to rein in bureaucratic overreach—yet not all in the GOP seem to agree.

Republicans Break Ranks on Union Bill

Leading the charge against Trump’s policy is Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, who cleverly utilized a discharge petition—a rare procedural tool—to force a vote despite opposition from GOP leadership. This maneuver, requiring majority support in the House, isn’t just a poke in the eye to party bosses; it’s a reminder that even in a polarized Congress, some issues can still bridge the divide.

The bill gained traction with all 209 voting Democrats on board, joined by a notable contingent of 13 Republicans, including Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania. These lawmakers, many from blue-leaning states or facing tight re-election races, may see this as a calculated move to show independence from party orthodoxy. It’s a risky play, but in districts where bipartisanship sells, it might just pay off.

Five of these Republicans—Fitzpatrick, Rob Bresnahan, Don Bacon, Mike Lawler, and Nick LaLota—even signed onto Golden’s discharge petition alongside 213 Democrats, a clear signal of their commitment. Discharge petitions are seldom successful, often viewed as a betrayal by party loyalists, which makes this coalition all the more eyebrow-raising. For conservatives wary of union influence, this feels like a step backward, though one can’t ignore the political realities these lawmakers face.

Rare Procedural Win Shakes GOP Unity

The procedural vote’s success at 222-200 wasn’t just a numbers game; it exposed the fragility of the GOP’s razor-thin majority in the House. With only two votes to spare on party-line issues, every defection stings, and this year has seen discharge petitions become a recurring headache for leadership. It’s less about rebellion and more about survival for some of these Republicans, though it leaves many MAGA supporters wondering where party loyalty went.

The bill now faces another procedural hurdle on Thursday, a so-called “rule vote” in the House, before a final decision on repeal can be made. If it clears that obstacle, the final vote to overturn Trump’s order will happen the same day, potentially sending a strong message to the White House. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—there’s still plenty of room for this to falter.

If the House does pass the legislation, the battle shifts to the Senate, where approval is far from guaranteed, and then to President Trump’s desk for a signature that seems, frankly, unlikely. Trump, who addressed troops via video from Mar-a-Lago on Thanksgiving, has shown no signs of backing down on this issue. For his base, this order was about efficiency in government, not union-busting, but the optics of a veto could still be messy.

Which Agencies Are Impacted?

The executive order in question affects a wide swath of federal agencies, from Veterans Affairs to Agriculture, stripping unions of bargaining leverage in critical sectors. For critics, this undermines workers who keep the government running, while supporters argue it’s a long-overdue correction to union overreach that bloats budgets. The divide here isn’t just partisan—it’s philosophical.

Among the Republicans backing the repeal, several like Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota, and Nicole Malliotakis have ties to union support, which might explain their stance. It’s not hard to see why they’d prioritize constituent interests over party doctrine, even if it means catching flak from conservative hardliners. Still, one has to wonder if this will haunt them in primaries down the road.

Debate on the Protect America's Workforce Act will continue in the House before the final vote, giving both sides a chance to make their case. For those of us skeptical of expansive union power, the argument for Trump’s order holds weight—federal bloat isn’t a myth. Yet, there’s something to be said for lawmakers standing up for workers in their districts, even if it’s a tough pill to swallow.

What’s Next for Trump’s Order?

Unfortunately, no direct quotes from key players are available to shed light on their motivations, which leaves us piecing together the political calculus behind this vote. Without those firsthand accounts, the story feels a tad incomplete, but the actions speak volumes on their own.

Equally absent are statements from the White House or Trump himself specifically on this bill, though his broader stance on federal efficiency is well-known. That silence might be strategic, or it could signal confidence that this repeal won’t survive the full legislative gauntlet.

As Thursday’s votes loom, the question remains whether this bipartisan push has the legs to challenge Trump’s vision for a leaner federal workforce. For conservatives, it’s a moment to reflect on balancing principle with pragmatism—supporting workers doesn’t have to mean embracing every progressive policy. This story is far from over, and the House floor might just be the first battlefield in a much larger war over federal power.