Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025

# Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025 - Plain Language Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would exempt Indian tribes and tribal businesses operating on tribal lands from federal labor laws that currently apply to most U.S. employers. Specifically, it would remove the requirement that these employers follow the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which gives workers the right to form unions, negotiate collectively for better wages and conditions, and take collective action like strikes. **Who it affects:** The bill would primarily affect Native American tribes, tribal-owned businesses and institutions, and their employees on tribal lands.

It would also indirectly affect the relationship between federal labor protections and tribal self-governance. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full Senate. It was sponsored by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS). The bill reflects a broader debate about tribal sovereignty—the right of tribes to govern themselves—versus federal labor protections that apply elsewhere in the country.