[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 36 (Thursday, March 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E491-E492]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CURBING UNAPPROVED UNION SPENDING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, last week the AFL-CIO announced that it 
would launch a campaign against California Proposition 226, the June 2 
referendum that suspends labor unions' incessant practice of 
contributing portions of dues to political campaigns that their members 
may oppose. This initiative and others like it in states across the 
country require unions to receive approval from union members before 
contributing dues money to political entities.
  Labor organizations feel that their role in the political arena would 
suffer if they were forced to tell the truth about union dues. Mr. 
Speaker, the issue here pertains to individuals' hard-earned wages, not 
the unions ability to influence government. Working Americans must be 
assured of their right to decide where to spend their paychecks. The 
overbearing role that the forced-membership labor groups have played in 
the lives of dedicated men and women is appalling.
  I find it unbelievable that, in a nation that guarantees liberty and 
justice for all, unions can force members to fund political campaigns 
that they do not support. Proposition 226 and similar initiatives in 30 
other states would put an end to this injustice.
  Mr. Speaker, we must do our part in this fight against ruthless labor 
unions and the obtrusive role that they have played in the lives of so 
many Americans. Curbing unsolicited political donations from union 
members is a good place to start.

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