Trump’s top goal is to save taxpayer money.
Washington, D.C. – Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is taking aim at one of the federal government’s most outrageous wastes of taxpayer dollars: union time paid for by you.
As part of efforts to tighten up the House-approved One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a centerpiece of President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda—Ernst is demanding the removal of taxpayer-funded perks that let federal employees conduct union business on the public’s dime.
“Bureaucrats should be working for the American people—not for union bosses,” Ernst declared. “This broken system rewards political allies while draining your wallet.”
💸 $160 Million in Union Time – On Your Dime
The most recent data, from 2019, shows over $160 million of taxpayer money was spent on federal employees engaging in union-related activities during official work hours.
These activities range from disciplinary defense, labor meetings, and training, to trivial issues like cubicle height, smoking areas, and even Spandex dress codes, according to reports from the Heritage Foundation.
“None of this helps the American taxpayer,” said Rachel Greszler, a senior fellow focused on government reform.
🔧 The “Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallet Act”
Sen. Ernst’s bill, titled the “Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallet Act,” would force federal unions to repay every dollar used for union business. The bill is backed in the House by Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), a strong fiscal conservative.
Ernst, who previously worked with President Trump to rein in union overreach during his first term, says now is the time to go even further.
🇺🇸 Trump’s Megabill Faces Senate Revisions
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act—which passed the House last month—is now being debated in the Senate. Republicans want to fine-tune the legislation before sending it back to the House and eventually to President Trump’s desk—ideally before the Fourth of July.
Key GOP senators pushing for modifications include:
- Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) – Medicaid reform
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) – SNAP (food stamp) changes
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) – Demands removal of the $4 trillion debt ceiling increase
- Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) – Spending cut advocates
The Congressional Budget Office projects the U.S. will hit its debt ceiling by late summer—adding urgency to the push for fiscal discipline.
🧾 Ernst’s Plan to Cut More Government Waste
Senator Ernst isn’t stopping at union reform. She’s also advocating for:
- Eliminating the $320 million Presidential Election Campaign Fund
- Blocking millionaires from collecting unemployment—which cost taxpayers $271 million under Biden
- Selling unused federal buildings to recoup $400 million in taxpayer funds
All of these proposals align with the broader goals of the Trump administration: lower taxes, leaner government, stronger borders, and national security first.
📉 The Stakes: $3 Trillion in New Debt Over 10 Years
The CBO estimates that the current version of the megabill could increase the deficit by $3 trillion over the next decade. That’s why conservative senators are pushing for sharper cuts and tighter fiscal controls—before the bill reaches President Trump for final approval.
With Republican majorities in both chambers, this may be the best chance in a generation to clean house in Washington and restore fiscal sanity.
BOTTOM LINE: Taxpayers are footing the bill for union perks, empty buildings, and wasteful programs. Senator Ernst, backed by key conservative leaders, is fighting to put an end to it—and deliver real accountability under President Trump’s America First agenda.
