[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E392]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          INTRODUCTION OF THE UNION MEMBERS' RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT

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                          HON. JON CHRISTENSEN

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 1997

  Mr. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, last year, the AFL-CIO spent more than 
$35 million on deceitful and negative television commercials. These ads 
were paid for by the dues of hard working union members all across 
America who have a right to know how their dues are being spent.
  That's why today I'm introducing the ``Union Members' Right-to-Know 
Act.''
  This piece of legislation amends Federal law to require labor 
organizations to inform their members of how much money they spent on: 
Political activities, including so-called issue advocacy and voter 
education; political candidates and organizations--including in-kind 
assistance; and affiliated political action committees [PAC's] and the 
candidates the PAC's assist.
  This is not an antiunion bill. Republicans, Democrats, and union 
members alike all believe that union members should have the right to 
know how their dues are spent. For too long, the labor bosses in 
Washington have prevented the average hard working union member from 
knowing how his dues are spent--dues that according to the U.S. Supreme 
Court ruling Communications Workers of America versus Beck can be 
refunded to any union member if they are not being expressly used for 
representational purposes.
  I am responding to the many union members of my district who 
contacted me last year expressing their opposition to the use of their 
dues money being spent on partisan politics. They have a right to know.

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