I4AW Presents Defender of Worker Freedom Award to Rep. Virginia Foxx for Demanding Oversight and Transparency in Support of Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 13, 2024
CONTACT: Mary Ellen Beatty, MaryEllen@i4aw.org

HAMILTON, VA. —Institute for the American Worker is proud to honor Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC 5) with our annual Defender of Worker Freedom award. Foxx demonstrated her commitment to freedom in the workplace by providing oversight of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), driving transparency in government spending on union activity, and many other actions furthering accountability in labor policy.

“Chairwoman Foxx has been diligent in protecting workers and union members across the country,” said I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio. “We need vigilant watchdogs like Rep. Foxx to ensure that the American workplace is an equal playing field for workers and entrepreneurs to prosper.”

Presented each year, this award is given to individuals who champion workers and promote freedom and flexibility in federal labor policy. We applaud Chairwoman Foxx for her contributions to worker freedom in Congress.

Over the last eight years, Chairwoman Foxx has used her position as the Republican leader of the Committee on Education and the Workforce— and currently serving as chair— to oppose harmful legislation such as the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which would destroy worker freedom and choice across the country.

In a statement opposing the bill, she said, “Individual freedom, innovation and pro-growth economic policies create the best path forward for workers and job-seekers, not more coercion and red tape.”

Additionally, Chairwoman Foxx has shown leadership in the following areas:

• Strongly opposed the PRO Act and the Biden administration’s attempts to bypass Congress and impose it via executive fiat,
• Demanded transparency and accountability in how taxpayer dollars are spent in federal collective bargaining and on union official time,
• Investigated NLRB misconduct for intervening in union organization efforts at Starbucks stores, and
• Initiated investigations into fraud and corruption within unions.

I4AW presented the Defender of Worker Freedom award to Rep. Foxx at her office on Capitol Hill. Sen. Bill Cassidy was also honored with the award.

To speak with I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio please email MaryEllen@i4aw.org to set up an interview.

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*Pictured above: Rep. Virginia Foxx (center) receiving the Defender of Worker Freedom Award in her office on Capitol Hill, alongside I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio (left) and I4AW Staffer Mary Ellen Beatty (right).