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HR 1696 109th Congress House Labor and Employment Administrative procedure Administrative remedies Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Collective bargaining Commerce Disciplining of employees Discrimination in employment Dismissal of employees Employee rights Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Fines (Penalties) Government Operations and Politics Industrial arbitration Injunctions Labor contracts Labor unions Law Mediation National Labor Relations Board

Employee Free Choice Act

Introduced: January 31, 2006 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 9, 2005
Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.
Apr 19, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Apr 19, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E705)
Apr 19, 2005
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Employee Free Choice Act - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit.

Sets forth special procedural requirements for reaching an initial collective bargaining agreement following certification or recognition.

Revises enforcement requirements with respect to unfair labor practices during union organizing drives. Provides, under injunction provisions, for priority to be given to preliminary investigation of charges of violations by employers or other entities. Adds to remedies for such violations: (1) back pay plus liquidated damages; and (2) additional civil penalties.

What's happening now May 9, 2005

Referred to the Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 842 Identical bill Employee Free Choice Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 74
All 74 Democratic 41 Republican 1 Independent 1
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Apr 25, 2006
Melancon, Charlie
· Mar 1, 2006
BOYD, ALLEN
· Feb 8, 2006
TANNER, JOHN
· Jan 31, 2006
ETHERIDGE, BOB
· Oct 17, 2005
 D
Clyburn, James E.
South Carolina · Jul 28, 2005
Marshall, Jim
· Jul 22, 2005
Bean, Melissa
· Jul 20, 2005
 D
Thompson, Bennie G.
Mississippi · Jul 14, 2005
Meek, Kendrick
· Jun 29, 2005
 D
Doggett, Lloyd
Texas · Jun 21, 2005
SNYDER, VICTOR
· Jun 16, 2005
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jun 7, 2005
 D
Meeks, Gregory W.
New York · May 25, 2005
 D
Wasserman Schultz, Debbie
Florida · May 24, 2005
Davis, Lincoln
· May 18, 2005
 D
Thompson, Mike
California · May 18, 2005
 D
Cleaver, Emanuel
Missouri · May 12, 2005
KANJORSKI, PAUL
· May 12, 2005
ORTIZ, SOLOMON
· May 12, 2005
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · May 10, 2005
 D
Cuellar, Henry
Texas · May 10, 2005
 D
DeGette, Diana
Colorado · May 10, 2005
EDWARDS, CHET
· May 10, 2005
KENNEDY, PATRICK
· May 10, 2005
 D
McGovern, James P.
Massachusetts · May 10, 2005
 I
Sanders, Bernard
Vermont · May 10, 2005
 D
Schiff, Adam B.
California · May 10, 2005
 D
Bishop, Sanford D.
Georgia · Apr 28, 2005
 D
Costa, Jim
California · Apr 28, 2005
 D
Larsen, Rick
Washington · Apr 28, 2005
 D
Pallone, Frank
New Jersey · Apr 28, 2005
Salazar, John
· Apr 28, 2005
BAIRD, BRIAN
· Apr 26, 2005
GORDON, BART
· Apr 21, 2005
Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie
· Apr 21, 2005
 D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Apr 21, 2005
 D
Smith, Adam
Washington · Apr 21, 2005
BERRY, MARION
· Apr 19, 2005
BOUCHER, RICK
· Apr 19, 2005
 D
Case, Ed
Hawaii · Apr 19, 2005
Chandler, Ben
· Apr 19, 2005
COSTELLO, JERRY
· Apr 19, 2005
 D
Davis, Danny K.
Illinois · Apr 19, 2005
Davis, Artur
· Apr 19, 2005
 D
DeLauro, Rosa L.
Connecticut · Apr 19, 2005
 D
Green, Al
Texas · Apr 19, 2005
HARMAN, JANE
· Apr 19, 2005
 D
Hoyer, Steny H.
Maryland · Apr 19, 2005
INSLEE, JAY
· Apr 19, 2005
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Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1696: Employee Free Choice Act. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1696/
MLA
"H.R. 1696: Employee Free Choice Act." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1696/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1696, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1696/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1696: Employee Free Choice Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-1696/)
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