[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. STEVE ISRAEL

                              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:

  Mr. ISRAEL. Madam Chair, I rise today in strong opposition to section 
517 of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act. That is because it would prevent the Department of 
Veterans Affairs, and related construction agencies from using project 
labor agreements (PLA) when they determine that they would benefit from 
doing so. If an agency decides that it is in their best interest to 
enter into a PLA, they should be given the ability to make that call.
  Project labor agreements increase efficiency and quality of 
construction projects and are an effective tool for ensuring that large 
and complex projects are completed on time. They provide construction 
contractors with access to a highly skilled and well trained workforce 
and ensure that contractors comply with equal employment rules and 
environmental standards. And, workers have found that it protects their 
safety and wages. For these reasons, PLAs have been used in all 50 
states and the District of Columbia; on the local, state, and federal 
level; and in the public and private sector.
  You might have even heard of the Tappan Zee Bridge, Fort Drum, Walt 
Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center--all were built with project 
labor agreements. And any attempt to restrict even the consideration of 
project labor agreements where they would promote economic efficiency 
is simply the height of anti-union tactics getting in the way of good 
government.
  There is an Executive Order that encourages agencies to use project 
labor agreements if it finds that an agreement would promote economic 
efficiency. During this time of fiscal restraint when the government 
must tighten its belt, it does not make sense to prohibit use of a 
proven business model that increases efficiency and keeps costs down. 
That is why I support the use of project labor agreements and am 
opposed to this anti-labor provision.