Baldwin Introduces Bill to Stand Up for Wisconsin Workers Impacted by Harmful Trade Policies
Bill would renew a successful program that provides job search support and access to training for American workers who lost their jobs from bad trade deals
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues introduced a bill to stand back up a successful program that supports American workers who have lost their jobs or suffered reduced hours or wages due to harmful trade policies. The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Reauthorization Act of 2025 would bring back the TAA Program, which expired in 2022 and offers a range of services to support displaced workers, including access to skills training, job search and relocation assistance, and extended income support.
“For years, I’ve fought bad trade deals that were a race to the bottom, shipped Wisconsin jobs overseas, and hollowed out our communities. When Wisconsin workers bear the brunt of unfair trade policies, we have to ensure they have the tools and support that they need to get back on their feet and back in the workforce,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am proud to fight for our workers and ensure they have a helping hand when they are the ones to pay the price from bad trade deals – because at the end of the day, it's our workers who make our Made in Wisconsin economy move forward.”
Since its creation in 1974, more than 5 million Americans have benefitted from the TAA Program, with more than 75 percent of participants successfully finding new jobs within six months. Since the program expired, nearly 200,000 workers – including more than 3,200 in Wisconsin – who may qualify for assistance have been unable to receive TAA given the lapse in authorization.
The TAA Reauthorization Act of 2025 would reauthorize the TAA Program through 2031 to help ensure American workers have access to the resources they need to transition to new employment opportunities at the same level or higher than their previous job.
The TAA Reauthorization Act of 2025 is supported by the United Auto Workers (UAW), United Steel Workers (USW), AFL-CIO, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM).
This bill is led by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and also co-sponsored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
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