Republicans push for legislation to halt taxpayer dollars funding federal employee union activities as government costs soar into millions.
At a Glance
- Sen. Mike Lee and Rep. Ben Cline introduced the No Union Time on the Taxpayers’ Dime Act to end government funding of union activities
- Under “official time,” federal employees can work for unions while receiving taxpayer-funded salaries
- Social Security Administration spent $15.1 million on official time in fiscal year 2023 alone
- VA medical staff on official time aren’t treating veterans while thousands of mental health calls go unanswered
- Sen. Joni Ernst proposed a companion bill requiring unions to reimburse the government for resources used
Taxpayers Funding Federal Union Activities
Senator Mike Lee and Representative Ben Cline are spearheading efforts to eliminate what many fiscal conservatives view as an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars. Their proposed No Union Time on the Taxpayers’ Dime Act aims to prohibit federal employees from conducting union business during work hours while being paid by taxpayers.
This practice, officially known as “official time,” allows government workers to perform union duties instead of their assigned government responsibilities – sometimes dedicating up to 100% of their paid time to union activities rather than serving the public.
The legislation has gained renewed relevance following the Biden administration’s reversal of Trump-era executive orders that had limited collective bargaining and official time usage across federal agencies. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability investigations have revealed the significant financial impact of this practice.
For the Social Security Administration alone, taxpayers shouldered $15.1 million for official time activities during fiscal year 2023, raising serious questions about efficient use of public resources at a time when many Americans struggle with rising costs.
WHAT IS 'OFFICIAL TIME?'🤔
Federal employees can bill the taxpayer for time they spend working for unions.
Joni Ernst, chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, has filed a bill to ban the practice.
“Bureaucrats seems to have forgotten that they serve the American people, not… pic.twitter.com/d58f7qsoa8
— Tyler O'Neil (@Tyler2ONeil) February 24, 2025
Veterans Services Impacted
The Department of Veterans Affairs has come under particular scrutiny for its extensive use of official time. According to oversight investigations, critical medical personnel, including nurses who should be treating veterans, are instead working on union business while collecting government paychecks. When investigators attempted to determine the full scope of this practice, they encountered resistance.
According to the Institute for the American Worker: “Department of Veterans Affairs responded in part with a ‘no records’ response and refused to provide additional records responsive to the FOIA request.”
The human cost of this practice extends beyond budget concerns. Sen. Joni Ernst’s Out of Office Report revealed disturbing findings about service gaps at the VA, where “thousands of calls from veterans seeking mental health care go unanswered” while staff members focus on union business instead of patient care. This revelation has intensified demands for reform among lawmakers concerned about both fiscal responsibility and the quality of services veterans receive after serving their country.
Proposed Solutions
The No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act would establish a comprehensive ban on official time across all federal agencies, requiring union representatives to conduct their activities during personal time and at their own expense. The proposed legislation doesn’t aim to eliminate union representation for federal workers, but rather shifts the financial responsibility for union operations from taxpayers to the unions themselves, as is standard practice throughout the private sector.
“…thousands of calls from veterans seeking mental health care go unanswered,” says Sen. Joni Ernst’s Out of Office Report.
Senator Joni Ernst has introduced complementary legislation, the Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallet Act, which takes a slightly different approach. Rather than banning official time outright, Ernst’s bill would require unions to reimburse the federal government for resources used during union activities. Both proposals reflect growing congressional sentiment that taxpayer funds should prioritize essential government services rather than supporting private union operations. Supporters argue these measures could improve government efficiency while ensuring taxpayer dollars directly benefit the public they’re intended to serve.
