WASHINGTON -  A fiery floor speech in which Valley Congressman Tim Ryan references the controversy to stop publishing six books written by children’s author Dr. Seuss, has been re-tweeted 25,000 times and has received 75,000 likes on Twitter.

The speech came on Thursday as Ryan voted for the Protecting Right to Organize Act, which the congressman says will enhance the power of workers to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Criticizing Republican opposition to the H.R. 842, Ryan referred to a publisher’s recent announcement that it would stop distribution of six Dr. Seuss titles because of alleged racist content.

Some groups, most notably conservatives, have labeled the Seuss decision as part of what has become known as “cancel culture’ to eliminate references to things that some find offensive.

Wearing a mask and waving his arms about, Ryan told colleagues:

"Heaven forbid we pass something that's going to help the damn workers in the United States of America. Heaven forbid we tilt the balance that has been going in the wrong direction for 50 years,” said Ryan. “We talk about pensions, you complain. We talk about the minimum wage increase, you complain. We talk about giving them the right to organize, you complain. But if we were passing a tax cut here, you'd all be getting in line to vote yes for it. Now stop talking about Dr. Seuss and start working with us on behalf of the American workers."

This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace.

Among other things, it revises the definitions of employee, supervisor, and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; permits labor organizations to encourage the participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes.

The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes.

The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation.

Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.

“This legislation will begin the reinvestment in the American worker, who too often put in long hours in difficult working environments for inadequate pay and benefits. These workers deserve better, and the PRO Act will help provide better working conditions, empower unions, and support families,” said Ryan.

The bill now goes on to the Senate.