[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 56 (Friday, March 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E718-E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WORKPLACE REPRESENTATION INTEGRITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2007

  Mr. McKEON. Madam Speaker, the purpose of this legislation is simple: 
only those legally permitted to work in the United States should be 
able to make a determination on union representation in their 
workplace.
  It defies logic that anyone who lives in this nation illegally--and 
works here illegally--is able to decide whether legal workers must join 
a union. But under current law, unions can obtain signatures during 
card check campaigns

[[Page E719]]

without differentiating between whether they were signed by legal or 
illegal workers.
  The Workplace Representation Integrity Act simply requires a union 
conducting a card check to demonstrate that any card presented for 
recognition be signed by a U.S. citizen or legal alien. In other words, 
this legislation would ensure the wishes of American citizens are not 
trumped by the desires of those here illegally.
  This measure is particularly critical because under the recently-
passed, cleverly-worded Employee Free Choice Act--which I strongly 
oppose, I might add--the mandatory card check would become the law of 
the land. And, literally, it would allow union bosses to pick and 
choose which workers they believe they can most easily pressure into 
joining the union. At the front of that line may very well be those who 
work here illegally. These men and women are particularly prone to 
union intimidation and would be more likely than most to sign the 
authorization card out of fear.
  Indeed, Madam Speaker, those illegally working in this country should 
not be pressured into making major decisions--such as those involving 
unionization--that will only serve to further erode the free choice of 
workers who are lawfully here. Rather than eviscerate the fundamental 
rights of workers as the so-called Employee Free Choice Act does, the 
Workplace Representation Integrity Act strengthens American workers' 
rights. I urge my colleagues to support it.

                          ____________________