‘Unworkable, Impractical’: Congressional Staffer Unions Would Bring More Dysfunction to Capitol, House Panel Told

(L) House Administration Committee chairperson Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) and (R) House Administration Committee ranking member Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.)) speak during a hearing on "2020 Election Security-Perspectives from Voting System Vendors and Experts." before the Committee on Jan. 9, 2020 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images).

Letting Capitol Hill staffers organize in collective bargaining unions will be “unworkable” and “impractical,” and prompt “more dysfunction in Washington,” while undermining the independence of Congress, according to Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.).

“Unions can, and do, play a significant role in assuring a fair working environment,” Davis said in his opening statement before a March 2 hearing of the House Committee on Administration, which is considering a Democratic proposal to allow congressional staff to form unions for collective bargaining on Capitol Hill workplace conditions.