S. 532 – National Right-to-Work Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 3:59 AM UTC

The National Right‑to‑Work Act would change federal labor law so that employees can freely choose whether to join or support a labor union. It does this by removing language in the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that currently permits union security agreements. The changes apply to private‑sector workers, railway employees, and any collective‑ bargaining agreements made after the law takes effect.

Key Provisions

Amends Section 7 of the NLRA to eliminate the exception that allows union security clauses, reinforcing the right to refrain from union activities.
Revises Section 8 of the NLRA to delete provisions that make it an unfair labor practice for employers to require union membership or to discriminate based on union status.
Makes conforming changes in other parts of the NLRA (sections 3, 8, 9) to align with the new right‑to‑work language.
Amends the Railway Labor Act to remove the paragraph that permits union security provisions for railway workers.
Sets the effective date so the new rules apply only to collective‑ bargaining agreements entered into or renewed after enactment.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCalendars Latest Action

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.

February 28, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 27, 2023

SenateCalendars

Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

February 27, 2023

SenateCalendars

Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 17.

February 28, 2023

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S. 532 on the floor

2 Democrats

Sen. Charles E. SchumerD-NY · Feb 28, 2023

First, some business, and then I will give my remarks. First, I understand there is a bill at the desk that is due for a second reading. In order to place the bill on the calendar under the…

Sen. Tina SmithD-MN · Feb 27, 2023

Mr. President, I understand that there is a bill at the desk, and I ask for its first reading. I now ask for a second reading, and in order to place the bill on the calendar under the provisions of…

Bill Text

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Placed on Calendar SenateIssued February 28, 2023

II

Calendar No. 17

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 532

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 27, 2023

Mr. Paul (for himself, Mr. Barrasso, Mr. Risch, Mr. Lankford, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Marshall, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Budd, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Braun, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Boozman, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Lee, Mr. Tuberville, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Cassidy, Mr. Crapo, and Mr. Cruz) introduced the following bill; which was read the first time

February 28, 2023

Read the second time and placed on the calendar

A BILL

To preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the National Right-to-Work Act.

2.

Amendments to the National Labor Relations Act

(a)

Rights of employees

Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 157) is amended by striking except to and all that follows through authorized in section 8(a)(3).

(b)

Unfair labor practices

Section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 158) is amended—

(1)

in subsection (a)(3), by striking : Provided, That and all that follows through retaining membership;

(2)

in subsection (b)—

(A)

in paragraph (2), by striking or to discriminate and all that follows through retaining membership; and

(B)

in paragraph (5), by striking covered by an agreement authorized under subsection (a)(3); and

(3)

in subsection (f)—

(A)

by striking clause (2) and redesignating clauses (3) and (4) as clauses (2) and (3), respectively; and

(B)

by striking Provided, That nothing in this subsection shall set aside the final proviso to section 8(a)(3) of this Act: Provided further, and inserting Provided,.

(c)

Additional conforming amendments

(1)

National Labor Relations Act

The National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended—

(A)

in section 9 (29 U.S.C. 159), by striking subsection (e);

(B)

in section 3(b) (29 U.S.C. 153(b)), by striking or (e); and

(C)

in section 8(f) (29 U.S.C. 158(f)), as amended by subsection (b)(3), by striking or 9(e).

(2)

Other laws

Section 453A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653a(a)(2)(B)(ii)) is amended by striking section 8(f)(3) and inserting section 8(f)(2).

3.

Amendment to the Railway Labor Act

Section 2 of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. 152) is amended—

(1)

by striking the Eleventh paragraph under the heading for general duties; and

(2)

by redesignating the Twelfth paragraph under the heading for general duties as the Eleventh paragraph.

4.

Effective date

This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall apply to any agreement entered into or renewed after the date of enactment of this Act.

February 28, 2023

Read the second time and placed on the calendar