Senate Approves Sanders' Amendment to Establish Employee Ownership Council
July 30, 2025 | Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions convened on July 30, 2025, to discuss several significant pieces of legislation, including S. 2292, S. 1440, S. 2398, S. 2301, S. 1728, and S. 2403. The meeting focused on amendments to these bills, with particular attention given to employee ownership and worker protections.
Senator Bernie Sanders introduced an amendment to S. 2403, the Retire Through Ownership Act, emphasizing the need for clear guidance from the Department of Labor regarding employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). He highlighted the importance of protecting workers and ensuring fiduciary responsibilities are upheld. The amendment received unanimous support, passing with 23 votes in favor and none against.
The committee also discussed S. 1728, the Employee Ownership Representation Act. Senator Sanders proposed an amendment aimed at expanding employee ownership initiatives. This amendment seeks to establish an employee ownership council within the Department of Labor to educate workers and retiring business owners about the benefits of employee ownership. The amendment was similarly well-received, passing with 23 votes in favor.
Additionally, Senator Maggie Hassan's amendment to S. 1728 was introduced, which would create the position of employee ownership advocate at the Department of Labor. This role is intended to support the formation and success of employee-owned businesses. The committee expressed support for this amendment as well, with a unanimous vote.
The meeting concluded with discussions on S. 2292, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, although no specific amendments were raised during this portion. The committee chair emphasized the need for efficiency in the discussions, urging members to limit their remarks to two minutes to ensure all topics could be addressed.
Overall, the meeting underscored a bipartisan commitment to enhancing employee ownership and worker protections, with multiple amendments passing smoothly through the committee. The next steps will involve further consideration of these bills as they move toward final passage.
Senator Bernie Sanders introduced an amendment to S. 2403, the Retire Through Ownership Act, emphasizing the need for clear guidance from the Department of Labor regarding employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). He highlighted the importance of protecting workers and ensuring fiduciary responsibilities are upheld. The amendment received unanimous support, passing with 23 votes in favor and none against.
The committee also discussed S. 1728, the Employee Ownership Representation Act. Senator Sanders proposed an amendment aimed at expanding employee ownership initiatives. This amendment seeks to establish an employee ownership council within the Department of Labor to educate workers and retiring business owners about the benefits of employee ownership. The amendment was similarly well-received, passing with 23 votes in favor.
Additionally, Senator Maggie Hassan's amendment to S. 1728 was introduced, which would create the position of employee ownership advocate at the Department of Labor. This role is intended to support the formation and success of employee-owned businesses. The committee expressed support for this amendment as well, with a unanimous vote.
The meeting concluded with discussions on S. 2292, the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Amendments, although no specific amendments were raised during this portion. The committee chair emphasized the need for efficiency in the discussions, urging members to limit their remarks to two minutes to ensure all topics could be addressed.
Overall, the meeting underscored a bipartisan commitment to enhancing employee ownership and worker protections, with multiple amendments passing smoothly through the committee. The next steps will involve further consideration of these bills as they move toward final passage.
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