Political Quotes

“It has been nearly a week that the Senate has been tied up over the majority leader's amendment to the Labor-HHS appropriations bill. I have listened to a great deal of debate about how this amendment would affect State and local police, fire, and emergency services officers. After the devastating attacks of September 11, we know that these men and women are the true heroes of America. The issue before the Senate, mandating that State and local governments allow public safety officers to unionize and collectively bargain, raises many passions on both sides of the aisle. In Alaska, this issue has been resolved. Our State and local employees are allowed to unionize and engage in collective bargaining and I very much support the right of Alaska police, fire and emergency service personnel to unionize. So as far as this Senator is concerned, the issue raised by Senator Daschle is one of principle, not labor/management principles but principles of constitutional proportions. Senator Daschle's amendment preempts the laws of 27 States. These States have decided that they do not believe their police, fire, or emergency service workers, employees of State and local governments, should be allowed to engage in union activities. By what constitutional right does the Federal Government have the authority to tell State and local governments what the terms of employment should be for State and local workers?”