MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – The Alabama House of Representatives has approved legislation reiterating Alabama’s stance as a so-called “right-to-work” state.

Representatives approved the proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday on a 69-33 vote. The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate.

Right-to-work states prohibit companies from requiring employees to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Alabama law already has the prohibition, but Republicans said adding the language to the state constitution will give additional assurances to businesses.

House Republicans have named the bill a priority for the session. However, last week they were three votes short of the 63 needed to approve the measure when some members were absent.

Democrats questioned the need to put the language in the Constitution and called it an anti-worker and anti-union bill.

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