I4AW Presents Defender of Worker Freedom Award to Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Virginia Foxx for Championing Workers Over Special Interests

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

HAMILTON, VA. —Institute for the American Worker is proud to honor Sen. Bill Cassidy, M. D. (R-LA) and Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC 5) with our annual Defender of Worker Freedom award. Sen. Cassidy and Chairwoman Foxx demonstrated their commitment to freedom in the workplace by promoting pro-worker legislation, pushing back against attempts to limit opportunity for independent contractors, providing oversight of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and driving transparency in government spending on union activity.

“Sen. Cassidy and Chairwoman Foxx boldly support free-market labor policies that lift up workers, drive the American economy and shine light on the misuse of taxpayer funds,” said I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio. “Their leadership has highlighted the importance of labor issues and inspired other Members to take a more active role in protecting against coercion and government overreach in the workplace.

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

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) since 2023, Sen. Cassidy has sponsored or co-sponsored several pieces of pro-worker labor legislation and attempted to overturn regulations threatening independent contractors. In a press release introducing the Employee Rights Act, Sen. Cassidy said, “Being pro-worker means defending the rights of all workers, including those who decide it is not in their best interest to form or join a union.”

Sen. Cassidy has helped keep free-market principles at the forefront of labor policy in the following ways:

• Supported independent workers by sponsoring the CRA to block the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Independent Contracting rule,
• Co-sponsored pivotal pieces of labor legislation such as the Employee Rights Act, the Union Members Right to Know Act, and the Restoring Integrity in Fiduciary Duty Act,
• Publicly opposed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act at Congressional hearings, a committee vote, and in the media, and
• Defended Florida public transit employees against Acting DOL Secretary Julie Su’s retaliation against the state for its efforts to protect their right to union democracy and transparency.

In the House of Representatives, Chairwoman Foxx has used her position in Republican leadership over the last eight years— and currently serving as chair of the Education and Workforce Committee for the last two years— to oppose harmful legislation such as the PRO Act, which would destroy worker freedom and choice across the country.

In a press release 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.”

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 awards to both Sen. Cassidy and Chairwoman Foxx at their offices on Capitol Hill.

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

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

Pictured above on the right: Sen. Bill Cassidy (center) receiving the Defender of Worker Freedom Award in his office on Capitol Hill, alongside I4AW President F. Vincent Vernuccio (left) and I4AW Staffer Mary Ellen Beatty (right).