Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/8712
Last Updated: July 16, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

ID: S001230

Follow the money

The bill

Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act

HR. 8712, 119th Congress — read as touching Big Tech Platforms.

The sponsor

Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$71,550 raised

23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Department of Labor and Related Agencies" section, p. 645-647 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3461)

May 13, 2026

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

✅

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another farcical attempt at legislation from the esteemed members of Congress. The Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act, HR 8712, is a masterclass in political theater, designed to appease the naive and the ignorant. Let's dissect this travesty, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's stated purpose is to require companies to disclose their involvement with forced labor in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). How noble. In reality, it's a shallow attempt to appear concerned about human rights while maintaining the status quo of corporate exploitation.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require companies to report on their supply chains and disclose any connections to forced labor in XUAR. It also mandates independent verification of these reports, because, of course, we can trust third-party auditors to be impartial. The legislation includes penalties for non-compliance, such as delaying or rejecting applications for securities registration. Oh, the horror!

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects are involved: companies with supply chains in XUAR, investors, and human rights activists. But let's not forget the real stakeholders – the Uyghur people, who will continue to suffer under Chinese oppression while American politicians pat themselves on the back for their "efforts."

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. It may lead to some companies rebranding or re routing their supply chains, but it won't address the systemic issues of forced labor and corporate complicity. The real impact will be on the politicians' PR machines, which will churn out press releases and tweets about their "commitment to human rights." Meanwhile, the Uyghur people will remain trapped in a cycle of oppression, and American corporations will continue to profit from their suffering.

In conclusion, HR 8712 is a textbook example of legislative lip service. It's a cynical attempt to appease the conscience of the American public while maintaining the lucrative relationships between corporations and governments. The disease beneath this bill is the same one that afflicts most legislation: greed, corruption, and a complete disregard for human life. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than watch this farce unfold.

Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$71,550
21 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$2,250
Committees
$0
Individuals
$69,300

No PAC contributions found

1
FRIENDS OF RUSSET PERRY
1 transaction
$1,000
2
GRO MORE DULANY BUILDERS
1 transaction
$1,000
3
ELECT ATOOSA REASER
1 transaction
$250

No committee contributions found

1
IRUDHAYANATHAN, ANTHONY
3 transactions
$13,200
2
JACOBS, IRWIN M
1 transaction
$3,300
3
ACHARYA, SANKET
1 transaction
$3,300
4
ALDANA, AIME
1 transaction
$3,300
5
ALI, TAJAMMAL
1 transaction
$3,300
6
BHUTADA, RISHI
1 transaction
$3,300
7
CHALLA, JAYANTH
1 transaction
$3,300
8
CHALLA, KAVITA
1 transaction
$3,300
9
CHEGU, LAKSHMI
1 transaction
$3,300
10
CHEGU, RANAPRATAP
1 transaction
$3,300
11
CRABTREE, SHONA
1 transaction
$3,300
12
GOLDEAN, PAUL
1 transaction
$3,300
13
GOLDEAN, STACY
1 transaction
$3,300
14
GORADIA, SAPPHIRA
1 transaction
$3,300
15
JAYARAMAN, SELVA
1 transaction
$3,300
16
KAPUR, RAMESH
1 transaction
$3,300
17
KARAMSETTY, PARDHA
1 transaction
$3,300
18
KARAMSETTY, SUNEETHA
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]

ID: M001224

Top Contributors

20

1
PELTIER, PATRICK
PELTIER AUTO GROUP • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualTYLER, TX
$9,900
Jan 31, 2024
2
PELTIER, PATRICK
IndividualTYLER, TX
$6,600
Feb 22, 2024
3
MARSHALL, MATTHEW
DRAKE • REAL ESTATE
IndividualTYLER, TX
$6,600
Aug 22, 2024
4
MARSHALL, MATTHEW
DRAKE • REAL ESTATE
IndividualTYLER, TX
$6,600
Aug 22, 2024
5
ANDERSON, RICHARD M.
PAFFORD EMS • 911 PROFESSIONAL
IndividualMARSHALL, TX
$5,000
Apr 15, 2024
6
LEATHERWOOD, HARRY
SELF • SELF
IndividualTYLER, TX
$5,000
Sep 23, 2024
7
STOVALL, SCOTT
IndividualTROUP, TX
$3,300
Jan 18, 2024
8
PELTIER, MIKAH ANN
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER • COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
IndividualTYLER, TX
$3,300
Jan 31, 2024
9
PELTIER, PATRICK
PELTIER AUTO GROUP • VICE PRESIDENT
IndividualTYLER, TX
$3,300
Jan 31, 2024
10
STEVENSON, DAVID L
CUSTOM COMMODITIES TRANSPORT • OWNER
IndividualDIANA, TX
$3,300
Feb 1, 2024

Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]

ID: C001072

Top Contributors

22

1
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
May 22, 2023
2
INDIANA IMPORT LLC
OrganizationFISHERS, IN
$1,000
Nov 11, 2023
3
MNAYMEH, HALA
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCORAL GABLES, FL
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
4
DE LA CRUZ, FABIO
WESTON PROPERTY MANAGEMENT • PARTNER
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
5
KHAN, AZHER M
CALDERON TEXTILES • PRESIDENT
IndividualCARMEL, IN
$3,300
Dec 8, 2023
6
HOGAN, ALAN P.
THE HOGAN GROUP, INC. • CONSULTANT
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Feb 22, 2023
7
JOHNSON, LACY M.
ICE MILLER • ATTORNEY
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Mar 16, 2023
8
STACK, ANN M.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Feb 22, 2023
9
ABDALLA, MIKE A.
MAGNA PROPERTIES • PRESIDENT
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$3,300
Mar 11, 2024
10
MAMOUN, IHSAN
SDI RADIOLOGY • PHYSICIAN
IndividualSEFFNER, FL
$3,300
Jan 23, 2024

Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13]

ID: E000297

Top Contributors

21

1
JIM OWLES LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC CLUB
OrganizationNEW YORK, NY
$250
Sep 25, 2024
2
CASTILLO, IGNACIO
EXCLUSIVE REALTY CORP. • PRESIDENT
IndividualBRONX, NY
$3,500
Sep 27, 2024
3
ACOSTA, ROLANDO T.
PILLSBURY WINTHROP SHAW PITTMAN LLP • PARTNER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
4
ALCANTARA, MINOSCA
NYS BRIDGE AUTHORITY • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023
5
GAGLIARDI, PAUL
FLAIR BEVERAGES CORP. • SALES EXECUTIVE
IndividualBRONX, NY
$3,300
Sep 19, 2023
6
GAGLIARDI, PAUL
FLAIR BEVERAGES CORP. • SALES EXECUTIVE
IndividualBRONX, NY
$3,300
Sep 19, 2023
7
GREEN, SUSAN A
IndividualSTAMFORD, CT
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023
8
CABRERA, FELIX
IndividualIRVINGTON, NY
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023
9
LEVINE, DOUGLAS H
BIG MOVE PROPERTIES • CEO
IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023
10
LEVINE, DOUGLAS H
BIG MOVE PROPERTIES • CEO
IndividualMIAMI BEACH, FL
$3,300
Sep 24, 2023

Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]

ID: K000391

Top Contributors

23

1
HONOR AGING LLC
OrganizationEAST BRUNSWICK, NJ
$3,300
Jul 16, 2024
2
PINNACLE HOSPITAL
OrganizationCROWN POINT, IN
$2,500
Mar 3, 2023
3
HOME BEE LLC
OrganizationWEST BLOOMFIELD, MI
$1,000
Sep 18, 2024
4
SAKA, SAMUEL
SELF EMPLOYED • ENTREPRENEUR
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Jun 2, 2023
5
SAKA, SAMUEL
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$6,600
Jun 2, 2023
6
GAITONDE, SUJATA
UIC • PROFESSOR
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,700
Feb 6, 2024
7
GAITONDE, SUNIL
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,700
Feb 6, 2024
8
KALSI, RAHUL S
NICOR GAS • EXECUTIVE
IndividualOAK BROOK, IL
$3,700
Sep 22, 2023
9
KOZAKIEWICZ, BEATA
STERLING GROUP INC. • PRINCIPAL
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
10
JAIN, RAJ
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualORLAND PARK, IL
$3,300
Nov 3, 2024

Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]

ID: M000312

Top Contributors

25

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
2
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
3
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Oct 20, 2023
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Apr 30, 2024
5
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
OrganizationDURANT, OK
$2,900
Sep 30, 2023
6
HANEY, WILLIAM M III
DRAGONFLY • CEO
IndividualWAYLAND, MA
$6,600
Nov 29, 2023
7
DEMPSEY, BRIAN S
DEMPSEY LUCEY & ASSOCIATES • PRESIDENT
IndividualHAVERHILL, MA
$3,300
Nov 8, 2023
8
ESLER, JOHN K.
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSUTTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 24, 2023
9
HANEY, WILLIAM M III
IndividualWAYLAND, MA
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
10
TANG, KEVIN
TANG CAPITAL • CEO
IndividualSAN DIEGO, CA
$3,300
Nov 8, 2024

Rep. Pelosi, Nancy [D-CA-11]

ID: P000197

Top Contributors

25

1
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Feb 28, 2024
2
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
3
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jul 12, 2024
4
SISSETON-WAHPETON OYATE TRIBE
OrganizationAGENCY VILLAGE, SD
$2,000
Jun 21, 2024
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationBANNING, CA
$325
Oct 24, 2023
6
VON FURSTENBERG, DIANE
SELF-EMPLOYED • FASHION DESIGNER
IndividualNEW MLFORDI, CT
$292,400
Nov 4, 2024
7
SILBERSTEIN, STEPHEN
N/A • RETIRED
IndividualBELVEDERE, CA
$50,000
Oct 6, 2023
8
CABRASER, ELIZABETH
LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP • PARTNER
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$50,000
Sep 30, 2023
9
GLASSER, HARVEY
SELF-EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$50,000
Sep 3, 2024
10
GLASSER, HARVEY
SELF-EMPLOYED • PHYSICIAN
IndividualSAN FRANCISCO, CA
$50,000
Oct 24, 2024

Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

ID: T000468

Top Contributors

27

1
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE TRIBE
OrganizationLAS VEGAS, NV
$3,300
Dec 31, 2023
2
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Feb 1, 2024
3
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$2,500
Jun 30, 2024
4
BARONA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLAKESIDE, CA
$1,500
Jun 30, 2023
5
RENO-SPARKS INDIAN COLONY
OrganizationRENO, NV
$1,000
Jun 11, 2024
6
SANTA YNEZ BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationSANTA YNEZ, CA
$1,000
Sep 8, 2023
7
NET2LINK, LLC
OrganizationPEMBROKE PINES, FL
$250
Oct 23, 2024
8
CHANG, RONIE
GOLDEN REAL ESTATE & INVESTMENTS • REALTOR
IndividualLAS VEGAS, NV
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
9
PRITZKER, JAY
STATE OF ILLINOIS • GOVERNOR
IndividualCHICAGO, IL
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
SCHMIDT, ERIC
HILLSPIRE LLC • MANAGER
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024

Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]

ID: M001196

Top Contributors

21

1
KARLA'S MARKET
OrganizationREVERE, MA
$500
Jul 25, 2023
2
BLOOM, BRADLEY
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$6,600
Nov 15, 2024
3
BREDENBERG, DIANE M.
N/A • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualSOUTHLAKE, TX
$6,600
Nov 15, 2024
4
SHAH, NIRAJ
WAYFAIR • RETAIL
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$6,600
Nov 17, 2024
5
CORCORAN, JAMES
AREX CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP • INVESTOR
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Nov 20, 2024
6
D'AMICO, ALEXANDER
MCKINSEY & COMPANY • CONSULTANT
IndividualNEW CANAAN, CT
$6,600
Nov 18, 2024
7
HASTINGS, MARK
PSG EQUITY • INVESTOR
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$6,600
Nov 20, 2024
8
LEDLEY, CHARLES H.
LIMINALITY CAPITAL LP • INVESTOR
IndividualBOSTON, MA
$6,600
Nov 21, 2024
9
PEELER, DAVID RANDY
BERKSHIRE PARTNERS • MANAGING DIRECTOR
IndividualCAMBRIDGE, MA
$6,600
Nov 18, 2024
10
SHORTSLEEVE, BRIAN
M33 GROWTH • VENTURE CAPITAL
IndividualWELLESLEY, MA
$6,600
Nov 21, 2024

Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

ID: T000487

Top Contributors

30

1
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,500
Jun 21, 2023
3
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$2,000
Mar 27, 2024
4
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
Jun 27, 2023
5
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$1,650
May 9, 2024
6
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
OrganizationATMORE, AL
$1,000
Jun 27, 2024
7
MS BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS
OrganizationCHOCTAW, MS
$1,000
Aug 28, 2024
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$500
Sep 18, 2023
9
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$300
Mar 27, 2024
10
THE CHICKASAW NATION
OrganizationADA, OK
$200
Mar 27, 2024

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

ID: N000147

Top Contributors

20

1
DONOHOE, BERT
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. • EVP, REAL ESTATE
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$3,300
May 2, 2024
2
OTONI, RAFAELA
HILTON CORPORATION • PRESIDENT & CEO
IndividualMC LEAN, VA
$3,300
May 3, 2024
3
REID, JACK
RAM CUSTOM SERVICES • PRESIDENT
IndividualCHESAPEAKE BEACH, MD
$3,300
May 6, 2024
4
LEWIS, JACQUELINE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jul 10, 2023
5
LEWIS, JACQUELINE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Jul 10, 2023
6
BARRY, DAVID E. JR
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualBEALLSVILLE, MD
$2,500
May 12, 2024
7
POLASKI, MICHAEL
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. • EXECUTIVE
IndividualBROADLANDS, VA
$2,500
May 13, 2024
8
GRUNLEY, KENNETH
GRUNLEY CONSTRUCTION • CEO
IndividualPOTOMAC, MD
$2,500
Jun 23, 2023
9
BRUCH, CHRIS
THE DONOHOE COMPANIES INC. • CEO
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$2,300
Apr 30, 2024
10
EARNEST, JAMES M.
SELF-EMPLOYED • REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualBETHESDA, MD
$2,300
May 10, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 34 nodes and 48 connections

Total contributions: $48

Top Donors - Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

Showing top 21 donors by contribution amount

3 Orgs18 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 6 harmed.

  • −Big Tech Platformsconfidence 0.90

    Section 13(t)(1)(D) requires issuers to disclose involvement in development or provision of surveillance goods, services, or technologies (including telecommunications, information security, and sensors) used to facilitate gross human rights abuses. This imposes compliance costs and potential reputational harm on big tech platforms that may have supply chain links to Xinjiang.

  • −Telecommunicationsconfidence 0.85

    Section 13(t)(1)(D) explicitly includes telecommunications as part of surveillance goods, services, or technologies that issuers must disclose if used to facilitate human rights abuses in Xinjiang, creating regulatory burden and potential liability for telecom firms.

  • Section 13(t)(1)(D) requires disclosure of involvement in development or provision of surveillance goods, services, or technologies (including telecommunications, information security, and sensors) used to facilitate gross human rights abuses, directly impacting law enforcement and surveillance tech vendors.

  • −Cybersecurityconfidence 0.80

    Section 13(t)(1)(D) includes information security as part of surveillance technologies that issuers must disclose if used to facilitate gross human rights abuses, imposing disclosure and compliance costs on cybersecurity firms.

  • Section 12(m)(2)(A)(i) references the 'Illustrative List of Industries in Xinjiang' which includes electronics and polysilicon production; Section 13(t)(1)(A)(i) requires disclosure of sourcing from those industries, creating supply chain compliance burdens for semiconductor and hardware manufacturers.

  • Section 13(t)(1)(D) covers surveillance technologies including information security and sensors, which could encompass AI and cloud infrastructure used for surveillance, imposing disclosure requirements on AI/cloud providers.

Who funds the sponsor on these industries

For each industry this bill affects, here's what the sponsor (Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10])received from donors associated with that industry during the 2022–present cycles. Donations are not proof of intent — they are a record of who funds the people writing the law.

Industries this bill HARMS

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Department of Labor and Related Agencies

Strong
Vector: 57%
Pages: 645-647AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns strongly with Project 2025's international labor policy goals, particularly in combating forced labor and enhancing supply-chain transparency to protect American workers from unfair competition and exploitative global labor practices."

Key themes:forced labor prohibitionsupply-chain transparencyinternational labor enforcementprotecting American workersethical trade practices

— 613 — Department of Labor and Related Agencies l Congress must amend the law so that employers can again have the freedom to make hiring Americans a priority. Despite the significant advantages that preferring citizens over (work-authorized) aliens in hiring would provide to American workers, businesses, and the country at large, such a practice has been illegal since 1986.25 This makes no sense. Alternative View Some conservatives believe that the government has a duty to limit its spending in order to limit how much it takes from American families. This means that when the government spends money, it must find the most econom- ical and effective way to do so. Excessive government spending will be borne by American workers and families through reduced incomes and purchasing power. There may be good reasons to require a certain percentage of American workers on federal contracts, but those decisions should be based on economy and efficiency as opposed to arbitrary quotas. Visa Fraud. American businesses that commit visa fraud and hire illegal immi- grants should not be the beneficiaries of federal spending. But a 2020 report by the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) examined the depart- ment’s process for excluding employers who commit visa fraud and abuse from federal contracts and found much to be desired. l To protect the American workforce from unscrupulous immigration lawyers, employers, and labor brokers, the department must follow the recommendations of the OIG and institute more robust investigations for suspected visa fraud and speedier debarments for those found guilty. INTERNATIONAL LABOR POLICY Leveling the International Playing Field for Workers. As recent decades of intense import competition and offshoring have made clear, American workers suffer when the U.S. opens its markets to foreign nations’ minimal labor standards and exploitative conditions. While federal law already prohibits the importation of goods produced with forced labor, the prohibitions are toothless without effective means of enforcement and cover only the most basic of workers’ rights. The Trump Administration and its United States Trade Representative (USTR) took unprece- dented steps to redress the issue for workers. The U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) contained the strongest and most far-reaching labor provisions of any free trade agreement (FTA), with protections and commitments to reduce labor abuses and raise wages. It also established new modes of enforcement. For future FTAs, the USTR should replicate the labor provisions of USMCA, especially the provisions to: — 614 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise l Eliminate all forms of forced or compulsory labor. l Protect workers’ rights to organize and participate voluntarily in a union without employer interference or discrimination. l Create a rapid-response mechanism to provide for an independent panel investigation of denial of labor rights at covered facilities. l Shift the burden of proof by presuming that an alleged violation affects trade and investment, unless otherwise demonstrated. For future authorizations of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), the President should urge Congress to: l Create mechanisms for supply-chain transparency. l Institute a general prohibition on forced labor conditions. Investigate Foreign Labor Violations That Undermine American Work- ers. The United States’ embrace of globalization has exposed American workers to unfair competition from nations with cheap, abundant, and often exploited labor. American workers have, as a consequence, seen their earning power erode. While negotiating stronger trade agreements with robust labor provisions should be the primary tool with which to regulate international labor competition, the federal government can also take steps to identify the worst labor abuses and rule breakers. DOL’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) plays a critical role in monitor- ing and enforcing the labor provisions of U.S. trade agreements and trade preference programs as well as investigating child labor and human trafficking violations. l The next Administration should focus ILAB investigations on foreign labor violations that do the most to damage American workers’ earning power, specifically regimes that engage in child and forced labor, fail to protect workers’ organizing rights, and permit hazardous or otherwise exploitative working conditions. Alternative/Additional View. Conservatives share a belief in protecting and pro- moting American workers and their families and orienting international policies with Americans’ interests first. Some conservatives believe that the best way to put Amer- ica first is by making America more attractive. In addition to restrictions imposed on other countries, removing existing barriers to American manufacturing, employ- ment, and commerce can help American workers, entrepreneurs, and families.

Department of Labor and Related Agencies

Weak
Vector: 59%
Pages: 642-644AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on supply chain transparency regarding forced labor in Xinjiang, while the Project 2025 policy centers on prohibiting TSP investments in China and reforming public pension disclosure and multiemployer plans. Both address China-related financial risks and transparency, but the bill targets corporate securities disclosures, not pension or investment fund policies."

Key themes:China investment restrictionsfinancial transparencyaccountability measuresethical investing

— 609 — Department of Labor and Related Agencies l DOL should exercise its oversight of the FRTIB to prohibit investments in China. l Congress should enact legislation prohibiting investment of the TSP in China. PENSION REFORMS. Public Pension Plan Disclosure. Residents of states that responsibly manage their public pension plans (pension plans for State and local government employ- ees) should not be responsible for bailing out states that do not do so. Money is ultimately fungible, so federal aid to States can effectively be used to free up other State funds for pension contributions. Although the federal government does not impose funding rules on public pension plans, these plans should be required to disclose the fair market value of plan assets and liabilities (using the Treasury yield curve as the discount rate) on an annual basis. In the aggregate, these plans were underfunded on a market basis by $6.501 trillion as of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, even though the plans reported underfunding of only $1.076 trillion using overly optimistic assumptions. l Disclose the fair market value of plan assets and liabilities. Congress should require public pension funds to disclose the fair market value of plan assets and liabilities (using the Treasury yield curve as the discount rate) on an annual basis. Multiemployer Plans. At the request of multiemployer union pension plans, the government has given such plans much more lenient rules and discretion over funding than it has given to single-employer plans. Multiemployer plans have been severely mismanaged, and the plans have abused the discretion and deference given them by federal law and enforcement agencies to make promises that they cannot keep. As a result, these plans are generally severely underfunded, with $757 billion in aggregate underfunding, and a funding level of just 42 percent. The Biden Admin- istration has provided a massive taxpayer bailout to some of these plans, but without any needed reforms. Even worse, it gave out funds in excess of what the law allows. l Congress should reform multiemployer pensions to give participants in these plans the same protections as those in single-employer plans. Liabilities should be measured similarly to single-employer plans. Workers should be able to earn benefits at any employer in the plan, but liabilities should be divided amongst employers, instead of the current illusory joint and several liability under which no one is ultimately responsible for making up underfunding. Troubled plans should be prohibited from — 610 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise making new pension promises. More timely and detailed reporting should be imposed. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Cor- poration (PBGC) insures benefits for private sector pension plans, with separate single-employer and multiemployer insurance programs. l The PBGC’s annual report must be submitted on time, and with timely data that uses fair-market value principles to calculate the PBGC’s finances. The PBGC has been submitting portions of statutorily required annual reports many months late and using out-of-date data. And PBGC's data on plans is almost five years old. These problematic practices make it difficult for Congress to become aware of serious problems in the insurance programs, which received a bailout of over $85 billion in the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. The PBGC should use existing statutory authority to protect workers, retirees, employers, and taxpayers by closely monitoring and taking appropriate remedial action with regard to badly run and underfunded multiemployer union pension plans, including termination where appropriate. The PBGC's refusal to use such authority helped cause its multiemployer program deficit to go from less than $500 million in 2008 to over $65 billion in 2017. l Congress should increase the variable rate premium on underfunding and eliminate the per-participant cap in order to appropriately take into account risk and limit the degree to which well-funded pension plans must subsidize underfunded plans. Reforms should proportionately reduce the fixed per-participant premium to ease the burden on well-funded plans and also increase premiums on multiemployer plans to match single-employer plans. Improving Access to Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) are ERISA-covered employee retirement savings plans that allow employees to receive compensation in the form of equity in their employer business. These arrangements enable employees to formally partici- pate as investors in how their employers’ businesses are run. And they also align employer–employee incentives by giving employees a greater financial stake in the success of their employers. With over half of small businesses owned by business owners over the age of 55, ESOPs also create advantageous succession oppor- tunities that support the continuity of local businesses and regional economic

Department of Labor and Related Agencies

Weak
Vector: 58%
Pages: 633-635AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill focuses on corporate supply-chain transparency regarding forced labor in Xinjiang, while the Project 2025 excerpt concerns union financial disclosure, OLMS funding, and NLRB policies. Both emphasize transparency and accountability, but their substantive domains differ significantly."

Key themes:transparencydisclosure requirementsaccountabilityoversightlabor rights

— 600 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise of state or local employees are exempt from this filing requirement. These dis- closure requirements help workers and the public understand how union leaders are raising and spending union dues; they also can serve as a vital source of infor- mation that helps workers decide if the unions they are asked to join are good stewards of the funds they collect. DOL, under both George W. Bush and Donald Trump, tried rulemakings (known as the Intermediate Bodies Rule) that would require some government unions to file the same information that is required of private-sector unions. Under President Trump, OLMS required unions to disclose involvement in trusts that they either own a majority stake in or control. In the past, union trust spending has been hidden, and it appears that trust assets have occasionally been corruptly spent for the benefit of private interests in union leadership— such as $30,000 spent on a private party, $37,500 spent on a Montblanc pen, condominiums for those in power, golf outings, and a Ferrari.20 But the Biden DOL eliminated a transparency rule requiring the filing of the T-1 Trust Annual Report. More generally, OLMS, which is charged with enforcing the law of union dis- closure, has historically been underfunded when compared to other DOL agencies. This relative lack of funding has made ensuring disclosure more difficult. l Enact transparency rules. The substance of the Intermediate Bodies Rule should pass into law, either through rulemaking or through legislation. The T-1 Trust Annual Report annual filing requirement should be restored. l Increase funding levels. Congress should expand the funding of the Office of Labor-Management Standards. Duty of Fair Representation. Unions have a duty of fair representation to their members, yet they too often abuse that duty to use their members’ resources on left-wing culture-war issues that are unrelated, and in fact often harmful, to union members’ own interests. l The NLRB should take enforcement or amicus action advancing the position that political conflicts of interest by union leadership can support claims for breach of the duty of fair representation in a manner analogous to financial conflicts of interest and analogous to breaches of the fiduciary duty of loyalty in other areas of law. Interpreting “Protected Concerted Activity.” In an effort to prevent employers from retaliating against workers who express a desire to unionize, cer- tain activities are deemed “protected concerted activity” (under §7 of the NLRA). — 601 — Department of Labor and Related Agencies The NLRB has issued extreme interpretations of these activities, such as deter- mining that a business’s requiring its employees to be courteous to customers and one another is an unlawful infringement on the free speech rights implicit in the protected concerted activity protections in the NLRA. l Reverse unreasonable interpretations of “protected concerted activity.” The NLRB should return to the 2019 Alstate Maintenance interpretation of what does and does not constitute protected concerted activity, including listing eight instances of lawful actions by employers. Injunctive Relief and Worker Organizing Activities. Within the confines of the more reasonable definition of protected concerted activity described above, the NLRB should increase its pursuit of reinstatement injunctions. Firing work- ers engaged in concerted activity has an immediate chilling effect on organizing, but remedies under the NLRA typically come only much later and amount only to backpay. In NLRA section 10(j), Congress empowered the NLRB to obtain temporary injunctions that immediately reinstate workers to their jobs in these circumstances. This provides a more meaningful remedy to the worker and creates a significant deterrent to unfair labor practices, because prompt reinstatement will tend to reinforce the legitimacy of the organizing effort. The NLRB overwhelmingly prevails when pursuing an injunction, succeeding 100 percent of the time in 2020 and 91 percent of the time in 2021. l Increase the use of 10(j) injunctive relief. The NLRB should increase its use of 10(j) and should articulate guidelines for situations in which it intends to seek injunctive relief; the board should delegate authority to pursue such injunctions to the general counsel and the general counsel should establish a policy of considering them expeditiously in all retaliation cases identified by regional offices. Dues-Funded Worker Centers. Under current law, both labor unions and unionized employers must file financial disclosures with DOL on an annual basis to ward off potential fraud and corruption of the sort that has been seen recently within the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). However, worker centers, which have grown in number and influ- ence enormously over the past decade, are not required to file these disclosures. l Investigate worker centers and require financial disclosures. DOL should investigate worker centers that look and act like unions and bring enforcement actions to require them to file the same financial disclosures.

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About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

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