[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 62 (Wednesday, May 15, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            VOTE EXPLANATION

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I wish to discuss my absence during the 
vote to table the Senate amendment No. 3419 offered by my colleague 
Senator Lieberman. Although my vote would not have affected the 
outcome, I would have voted to table the amendment. The language in the 
legislation, which was also included in the Jordan Free Trade Agreement 
singed into law on September 28, 2001, is vital to ensuring that 
Congress preserves its exclusive right to establish and enforce U.S. 
labor and environmental standards.
  During the vote I was attending a White House signing ceremony for 
H.R. 169, the Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and 
Retaliation Act, ``No FEAR'' Act. I was the sponsor of this legislation 
in the Senate, S. 201--the Federal Employee Protection Act.
  The press has referred to the No FEAR Act as ``the first civil rights 
bill of the new century.'' It significantly strengthens existing laws 
protecting Federal employees from discrimination, harassment, and 
retaliation for whistle blowing in the workplace. It is an unfortunate 
fact that too many federal employees are subjected to such treatment 
with alarming regularity.
  I am pleased that President Bush has signed this important 
legislation and honored I was invited to the Oval Office for the 
signing ceremony. No FEAR will promote a more productive work 
environment by ensuring agencies enforce the laws intended to protect 
Federal employees.

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