James Comer is Chairman of the House Oversight Committee. | https://oversight.house.gov/chairman-james-comer/
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Chairman James Comer has criticized Democratic lawmakers for advancing H.R. 2550, legislation he described as a “pro–union boss bill” that would prevent President Donald Trump from implementing workforce reforms if he returns to office.
In remarks prepared for delivery, Comer outlined his concerns regarding the bill’s impact on federal workforce management. He emphasized the scale of federal employment, noting that more than two million civilian employees are paid with taxpayer funds to perform essential government functions. However, he said ultimate responsibility for managing these employees lies with the President, who is elected to ensure effective execution of the law.
Comer stated, “Americans pay several hundred billion in taxes each year to fund the salaries and benefits of more than two million federal civilian employees. These workers are paid to carry out the critical mission and functions of the federal government.”
He argued that actions taken by outgoing Biden Administration officials before leaving office—specifically, signing collective bargaining agreements with federal employee unions—were intended to restrict the incoming Trump Administration’s ability to manage the workforce. According to Comer, these agreements included provisions locking in telework arrangements for Social Security Administration employees through President Trump’s term.
“To be clear, this was done specifically to ‘Trump-proof’ the workforce—to force the incoming President to continue the failed management policies the public had just voted to end,” Comer said.
Comer questioned whether a President should be bound by such last-minute union agreements: “Can he truly lead if he is held hostage by union deals to which he never agreed and were intended to undermine his authority? Should an elected President be unable to bring taxpayer-funded federal employees back to work for his entire four-year term? The American people do not think so.”
He pointed out that House Oversight Committee members have already adopted legislation called the “Preserving Presidential Management Authority Act,” sponsored by Representative Cloud of Texas. This measure aims to allow Presidents greater flexibility in managing federal workers without being restricted by previous union contracts.
Comer also drew a distinction between public sector and private sector unions, referencing Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s view that collective bargaining practices do not translate well into government settings because “[t]he employer is the whole people.” He argued that while private sector unions negotiate with business owners over wages and conditions, public sector unions negotiate over issues like telework and disciplinary procedures directly affecting taxpayers.
“Unions also seek contract provisions that limit management’s ability to hold employees accountable through disciplinary procedures or performance management processes,” Comer added.
He concluded his remarks by urging colleagues in Congress: “I urge my colleagues to buck federal union bosses, put Americans first, and oppose the so-called ‘Protect America’s Workforce Act.’”
