The Protecting America's Workers Act, or Bill S. 2845, is a proposed law that wants to change an existing law from 1970. The changes would mean that the law now covers government workers at all levels. The bill also wants to provide better protections for people who report unsafe or illegal activities at work, increase the penalties for certain workplace safety violations, and give more rights to people who are hurt at work and their families. The goal of these changes is to make workplaces safer and healthier.
Supporters in the media have praised the bill as a necessary step towards improving workplace safety. They highlight the inclusion of government employees under the act's protection, which they see as a long-overdue correction. The increased protections for whistleblowers and the strengthening of penalties for safety violations are also seen as crucial for deterring unsafe practices and fostering a culture of accountability.
Critics in the media argue that the bill could impose excessive regulatory burdens on businesses, potentially stifling growth and innovation. They worry that the increased penalties could be misused or applied unfairly, and that the expanded protections for whistleblowers might encourage frivolous complaints. Some also question whether it is necessary to extend the act's coverage to government employees, arguing that existing protections are sufficient.
Senator Ron Wyden, the sponsor of S. 2845, has received substantial donations from the Securities & Investment industry, totaling $225,000,000. This industry is directly impacted by the proposed legislation, which aims to close tax loopholes frequently used by billionaires, many of whom are involved in securities and investments. This presents a potential conflict of interest, as the sponsor may be influenced by his donors when shaping the bill. Furthermore, there is significant lobbying activity in the area of taxation, with various companies and organizations spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to influence legislation. These financial ties between the sponsor, his donors, and the lobbyists could potentially affect the bill's outcome.
These industries are both affected by this bill and among the sponsor's top donors.
| Industry | Match Type | Related Subject | Donations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Securities & Investment (F10) | Sector | Taxation | $225,000,000 |
| Total from overlapping industries | $225,000,000 | ||
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NATIONAL RIGHT TO WORK COMMITTEE | THE NATIONAL RIGHT TO WORK COMMITTEE | $150,000 |
| SABINE-NECHES NAVIGATION DISTRICT | MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC | $70,000 |
| AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION | AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION | $50,000 |
| CEDAR PORT NAVIGATION AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT | MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC | $50,000 |
| LHOIST NORTH AMERICA, INC. | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $50,000 |
| JOHNSTOWN-CAMBRIA COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY & CAMBRIAN HILLS DEVELOPMENT GROUP | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $50,000 |
| THE YATES COMPANIES, INC. | MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC | $45,000 |
| HOWMET | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $40,000 |
| COHNREZNICK LLP | MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC | $30,000 |
| GOLDEN PASS LNG TERMINAL LLC - FKA - GOLDEN PASS PRODUCTS LLC | MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC | $30,000 |
| ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES LLC | SUSAN PLATT | $30,000 |
| LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY | MABRY PUBLIC AFFAIRS LLC | $20,000 |
| ALLIANCE OF MARINE MAMMAL PARKS AND AQUARIUMS | BLUE SKY CAPITOL CONSULTING, LLC | $20,000 |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | undisclosed |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Ron Wyden, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)