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Amid speculation he’s on Vice President Kamala Harris’ shortlist for a running mate, Sen. Mark Kelly’s (D-Ariz.) spokesperson said he will support a piece of pro-labor legislation.
Kelly did not co-sponsor the legislation known as the PRO Act, provoking the ire of some progressives and labor unions. It was unclear whether it was a red line for organized labor for him to be considered as Harris’ vice president.
The PRO Act would make the process of creating unions or signing onto unions much easier for workers. A person familiar with his thinking, granted anonymity to discuss internal conversations, told POLITICO that even though he hadn’t co-sponsored the legislation, he was going to support it if there was a vote.
The legislation had already been co-sponsored by most of the Senate Democratic Caucus and passed the then Democratic-controlled House last Congress.
Kelly’s lack of support for the PRO Act raised concerns within organized labor circles, though many differed on how much to hold it against him.
“I think he would have to at least talk to labor leaders about his position,” one union president told POLITICO on Wednesday before Kelly clarified his stance. “That’s the only red flag.”
Kelly is the only member of Congress being seriously considered for the role, for now.
Nick Niedzwiadek contributed to this report.
