[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17336]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     INTRODUCTION OF THE POWER ACT

  (Ms. JUDY CHU of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JUDY CHU of California. Mr. Speaker, we depend on immigrant 
workers to take some of the toughest jobs. They pick our food, clean 
our houses, and wash our cars. As U.S. workers, they deserve to freely 
exercise their labor rights; yet when immigrants want to organize for 
fair pay or decent working conditions, they are often silenced by 
unscrupulous employers who retaliate through harassment, abuse, and 
threats of immigration enforcement.
  This is unacceptable. When I hear about it, I think of Asuncion 
Valdivia, who died after 10 hours of grape picking in 105 degree heat. 
Asuncion did not have the opportunity to report a violation. We cannot 
allow any voice to be stifled, especially when that voice is speaking 
out against dangerous or unfair practices.
  That is why I am introducing the POWER Act this week. This bill 
expands U visa eligibility for victims of retaliation, strengthens 
labor agencies' investigative powers, and allows a stay of removal for 
workers who filed a workplace claim.
  We must protect our workers, no matter who they are.

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