ReutersJosh Hawley, the Republican senator from Missouri, is attempting to rebrand himself as a blue-collar crusader, potentially setting the stage for a 2028 Republican primary clash with Vice-President JD Vance, as both vie for the populist mantle of the Republican party in a post-Trump era by appealing to working-class voters with pro-labor and anti-corporate stances, despite past conservative records and potential contradictions within the Trump administration's policies. Hawley's shift includes legislative proposals and alliances that contrast with his earlier political positions, while Vance, backed by Trump, also makes overtures to labor, highlighting an ideological battle for the future of the GOP.
Hawley, once known for his actions on January 6, has surprised many with his recent focus on labor issues. He introduced "A Pro-Worker Framework for the 119th US Congress," which includes proposals typically associated with more liberal politicians.
These proposals aim to ban captive-audience meetings and impose civil penalties for labor violations. Hawley has also advocated for tax relief for low-income families and criticized "corporatist Republicans" for supporting Medicaid cuts.
He has collaborated with Democrat Peter Welch to cap prescription drug prices and with Cory Booker to expedite union contract negotiations. This represents a significant change for a senator who previously opposed Obamacare and minimum wage increases.
Some view Hawley's actions with skepticism, questioning his sincerity. Jim Kabell, a retired Teamsters organiser, called it "the most shameful political theatre I’ve ever seen."
However, others believe Hawley is responding to a shift in the GOP base, particularly among younger Republicans. A YouGov-American Compass poll indicated a net positive favorability toward unions among Republicans, with even higher support among those born after 1980.
With the future of the Republican party in question, both Hawley and Vance are positioning themselves to appeal to working-class voters. Vance, as Vice-President, has the advantage of institutional weight and Trump's endorsement.
Hawley is focusing on policy populism, challenging corporations like Amazon, Meta, and Musk. Both have made gestures toward labor, with Vance even appearing on a UAW picket line.
"the most shameful political theatre I’ve ever seen."
Despite Hawley's pro-worker rhetoric, the Trump Administration's policies have often been seen as anti-union. Trump signed an executive order that stripped nearly a million federal workers of their union rights.
Critics have noted Hawley's silence on these actions. Labor historians have described it as "the biggest union-busting action in US history."
Despite this, the Republican party's outreach to labor is gaining some traction. Teamsters president Sean O’Brien addressed the Republican National Convention.
O’Brien says Trump’s administration has "consulted him more than any Democrat ever did."
This shift is evident in actions like the letter signed by 34 senators, including Republicans JD Vance, Roger Marshall, and Josh Hawley, demanding action from Amazon on driver mistreatment. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not sign the letter.
In a post-Trump political landscape, the competition between Hawley and Vance may hinge on their ability to connect with labor. Both are attempting to appeal to working-class voters by addressing issues such as wages and dignity.
They also continue to focus on issues such as immigration and "wokeness." This approach has been described as cynical but potentially effective.
"consulted him more than any Democrat ever did."
Hawley's "A Pro-Worker Framework for the 119th US Congress" seeks to ban captive-audience meetings and impose civil penalties for labor violations. On Tax Day, Hawley published an op-ed in The Washington Post calling for expanded tax relief for low-income families.
He followed up with another in The New York Times, blasting "corporatist Republicans" for demanding Medicaid cuts in Trump’s "big, beautiful" spending bill.
Hawley co-sponsored legislation with Bernie-adjacent Democrats and wrote a scathing anti-corporate screed worthy of Elizabeth Warren.
"the biggest union-busting action in US history."
Hawley, once known for his actions on January 6, has surprised many with his recent focus on labor issues. He introduced "A Pro-Worker Framework for the 119th US Congress," which includes proposals typically associated with more liberal politicians.
These proposals aim to ban captive-audience meetings and impose civil penalties for labor violations. Hawley has also advocated for tax relief for low-income families and criticized "corporatist Republicans" for supporting Medicaid cuts.
He has collaborated with Democrat Peter Welch to cap prescription drug prices and with Cory Booker to expedite union contract negotiations. This represents a significant change for a senator who previously opposed Obamacare and minimum wage increases.
Some view Hawley's actions with skepticism, questioning his sincerity. Jim Kabell, a retired Teamsters organiser, called it "the most shameful political theatre I’ve ever seen."
However, others believe Hawley is responding to a shift in the GOP base, particularly among younger Republicans. A YouGov-American Compass poll indicated a net positive favorability toward unions among Republicans, with even higher support among those born after 1980.
With the future of the Republican party in question, both Hawley and Vance are positioning themselves to appeal to working-class voters. Vance, as Vice-President, has the advantage of institutional weight and Trump's endorsement.
Hawley is focusing on policy populism, challenging corporations like Amazon, Meta, and Musk. Both have made gestures toward labor, with Vance even appearing on a UAW picket line.
"the most shameful political theatre I’ve ever seen."
Despite Hawley's pro-worker rhetoric, the Trump Administration's policies have often been seen as anti-union. Trump signed an executive order that stripped nearly a million federal workers of their union rights.
Critics have noted Hawley's silence on these actions. Labor historians have described it as "the biggest union-busting action in US history."
Despite this, the Republican party's outreach to labor is gaining some traction. Teamsters president Sean O’Brien addressed the Republican National Convention.
O’Brien says Trump’s administration has "consulted him more than any Democrat ever did."
This shift is evident in actions like the letter signed by 34 senators, including Republicans JD Vance, Roger Marshall, and Josh Hawley, demanding action from Amazon on driver mistreatment. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not sign the letter.
In a post-Trump political landscape, the competition between Hawley and Vance may hinge on their ability to connect with labor. Both are attempting to appeal to working-class voters by addressing issues such as wages and dignity.
They also continue to focus on issues such as immigration and "wokeness." This approach has been described as cynical but potentially effective.
"consulted him more than any Democrat ever did."
Hawley's "A Pro-Worker Framework for the 119th US Congress" seeks to ban captive-audience meetings and impose civil penalties for labor violations. On Tax Day, Hawley published an op-ed in The Washington Post calling for expanded tax relief for low-income families.
He followed up with another in The New York Times, blasting "corporatist Republicans" for demanding Medicaid cuts in Trump’s "big, beautiful" spending bill.
Hawley co-sponsored legislation with Bernie-adjacent Democrats and wrote a scathing anti-corporate screed worthy of Elizabeth Warren.
"the biggest union-busting action in US history."
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