Legislative and Policy Priorities

DPE monitors federal policy developments and coordinates activities in order to advance the interests of its affiliated unions and professionals. Through direct lobbying and advocacy, policy position papers, and letters, DPE provides professionals and their unions with a voice on Capitol Hill. DPE is most active on policy related to immigration and arts funding, but has also worked to to improve intellectual property protections for creative professionals and pass legislation that would provide permanent protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries.

Immigration

The professionals who makeup DPE’s affiliate unions bring to the table a diverse array of backgrounds, nationalities, and immigration experiences. They are people employed on temporary employment visas, Dreamers, lawful permanent residents, and U.S. citizens. DPE advocates for an immigration system that works for U.S. professionals, highly skilled foreign workers, and employers that play by the rules. In particular, DPE leads the labor movement’s thinking on high-skilled temporary visa programs, including the H-1B, L-1, O, and P visas.

 Federal Arts Funding

DPE’s coalition includes 12 national unions representing professionals working in the arts, entertainment, and media industries. We are united for the arts. The arts and entertainment industry contributes over $700 billion to the nation’s output and employs over four million people - including our unions’ members - across all 50 states. DPE advocates for fully funding the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Federal arts funding bolsters the economy and helps ensures all Americans have access to artistic and educational content.

DPE and members from AEMI unions with Rep. Pingree, co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, on Arts Advocacy Day 2019

DPE and members from AEMI unions with Rep. Pingree, co-chair of the Congressional Arts Caucus, on Arts Advocacy Day 2019

Policy and Sign-On Letters

119th Congress

2025

118th Congress

2024

2023