Bill > HR5314

This bill, the Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2023, amends the Hobbs Act, which prohibits interference with commerce by threats or violence. The key provisions of the bill are as follows: 1. It prohibits obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce through robbery, extortion, or the threat of physical violence, with violators facing fines of up to $100,000 and/or up to 20 years in prison. 2. It defines important terms like "commerce," "extortion," "labor dispute," and "robbery" for the purposes of the law. 3. It includes an exemption for conduct that is incidental to peaceful picketing during a labor dispute, involves only minor injury or damage, and is not part of a pattern of violent activity. Any such conduct would be subject to prosecution only by state and local authorities. 4. It clarifies that the bill does not affect existing labor laws, including provisions of the Clayton Act, Norris-LaGuardia Act, National Labor Relations Act, and Railway Labor Act. The bill aims to address concerns about violence and disruption of commerce by labor unions, while preserving the ability to engage in legitimate labor organizing and protest activities.