Josh Hawley Is Trying to Sell Unions to Republicans. It’s Not Working.

The senator is offering “pro-worker” policies based on Democratic legislation. He’s finding few takers.

Sen. Josh Hawley speaks to reporters.

Sen. Josh Hawley has been working with the Teamsters to roll out a framework of bills that draws on the Democratic PRO Act. Tom Williams/AP

President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers this week are touting their “no tax on tips or overtime” policies, which won over working-class voters in 2024.

The president’s party, however, is fracturing over labor reforms that could bring organized labor further into their camp.

Sen. Josh Hawley — a populist Republican who has rankled conservatives and union organizers alike with his picket-line visits and labor policies — aims to put forward a slew of legislation based on his self-proclaimed “pro-worker framework.” The framework includes increasing civil penalties for employers who violate labor laws and banning required “captive audience” meetings, where employers discourage workers from organizing.