[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 24 (Monday, February 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E94]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. SUSAN WILD

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 6, 2023

  Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to clarify and qualify my vote in 
support of H.R. 139, SHOW UP Act of 2023.
  I reluctantly supported this bill due to the substantial outreach I 
have received from my constituents regarding the impact of pandemic 
measures on certain vital government services, particularly the Social 
Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service. At the same 
time, I am concerned that, in its current form, H.R. 139, SHOW UP Act 
of 2023, would cause inadvertent harm to the federal service and the 
federal workforce.
  Had it been made in order, I would have supported a bipartisan 
amendment to this legislation by my friend and colleague Rep. Brian 
Fitzpatrick (PA-01) to strike Section 2 of the bill. I am deeply 
concerned with the fact that the bill, as currently written, would 
override existing agreements that have been collectively bargained in 
dozens of federal agencies.
  It is unacceptable for Congress to set the precedent of circumventing 
labor negotiations and overriding collective bargaining agreements. I 
want to be clear: While it is imperative for my constituents to receive 
urgently needed services in the most effective manner possible, it is 
equally imperative to protect the hard-won agreements workers have 
earned through the collective bargaining process.
  Over the coming weeks and months, I will continue advocating for a 
more democratic legislative process in the House of Representatives 
that allows members of this body to improve deeply flawed legislation 
such as H.R. 139. I am and will always remain an unwavering voice in 
support of workers' right to organize and collectively bargain--whether 
in the public or private sector--and in support of the labor movement.

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