Rep. Chris Smith, R-4th District, voted twice against proposed amendments that would have put Right to Work for Less into the PRO Act. In casting his pro-labor votes, he stood for the best interests of working families and bucked his party.
The New Jersey State AFL-CIO congratulates Smith, a longtime supporter of New Jersey’s laborers. The state AFL-CIO has endorsed the Protecting the Right to Organize Act since it was introduced in Congress.
During hours of debate on the PRO Act, two Republicans submitted amendments that would have protected Right to Work laws, which are in effect in 27 states. The amendments failed by more than 40 votes each.
Smith opposed both. They would have allowed non-union employees to receive the salary and benefits that a union negotiated on their behalf without paying the union any dues or fees.
Smith, a co-sponsor of the PRO Act, voted for the bill along with all the representatives in New Jersey’s House delegation, as the House passed it 224-194-12 on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020.
The bill has been sent to the GOP-led Senate.