The Taft-Hartley Act, officially known as the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, is a significant piece of U.S. legislation that regulates labor unions and their activities. It was enacted to balance the power between labor unions and employers, addressing concerns about union practices that were seen as unfair or harmful to the economy. The act restricts certain union activities, such as secondary boycotts and closed shops, and requires union leaders to sign affidavits affirming they are not members of the Communist Party. The act also grants states the authority to pass "right-to-work" laws, which allow workers to choose whether to join a union without being compelled to do so. This legislation was named after its sponsors, Senator Robert A. Taft and Representative Fred A. Hartley Jr., and has had a lasting impact on labor relations in the United States, shaping the dynamics between unions, employers, and workers.