Sheila Jackson Lee: “I ask support of the Jackson Lee amendment in the en bloc amendment No. 1. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 842…”

“I ask support of the Jackson Lee amendment in the en bloc amendment No. 1. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 842, the ``Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021, or ``PRO Act,'' which protects the basic right to join a union by (1) empowering workers to exercise their right to organize; (2) holding employers accountable for violating workers' rights; and (3) securing free, fair, and safe union elections. Our economy needs a strong middle class, and unions are essential to rebuilding America's middle class and improving the lives of workers and their families. The erosion of America's middle-class is a direct result of decades- long assault on workers' rights, funded by wealthy special interests. When workers have the power to stand together and form a union, they have higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. Workers seeking to organize a union frequently face a surge of intimidation and retaliation from wealthy special interests. After decades of anti-worker attacks, union membership is at historic lows and inequality is at historic highs. It is imperative that we begin to recognize that the American people support unions--over 64 percent of Americans and millennials appreciate the idea of having representation for better quality of life and work. When workers have the power to stand together and form a union, they have higher wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions.…”