[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 81 (Friday, June 1, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E965]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2013

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                               speech of

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5854) making 
     appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes:

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained and unable to be 
present for the vote on the Grimm Amendment to H.R. 5854, the Military 
Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act. I want to state for the record that I strongly support this 
amendment, and had I been present, I would have voted yes.
  Mr. Grimm's amendment would strike the anti-project labor agreement 
language inserted into the bill. This bi-partisan amendment is an 
important defense against Republican attacks on labor and project labor 
agreements.
  As a Member of Congress, I take the responsibility to protect 
workers' rights seriously, and I support economic solutions that 
protect and lift all Americans--not just the privileged few--in order 
to create a safe and prosperous nation for all. A cornerstone of this 
economy are Project Labor Agreements, which are pre-hire agreements 
that establish the terms and conditions of employment to ensure tax 
payer funded projects use local workers to finish on time and under 
budget.
  It is time to rebuild our economy in a way that is consistent with 
our values. Until all Americans are back to work, more must be done on 
behalf America's middle class and working families. Project Labor 
Agreements are a vital part of this process, and I strongly support all 
attempts to protect them.

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