Mark Takano: “I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to overturning the Fair Pay…”

“I thank the gentleman from Virginia for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to overturning the Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces rule under the Congressional Review Act. Undoing this rule would once again allow unethical Federal contractors to collect billions of dollars from taxpayers while stealing from, endangering, and discriminating against their employees. Right outside this building, on January 20, President Trump promised to give power back to the people and empower everyday Americans. I do not understand how allowing Federal contractors to hide records of wage theft, safety violations, and discrimination keeps that promise. I am particularly concerned with what repealing this rule will mean for our Nation's veterans. Because Federal contractors are encouraged to employ the men and women who have served, they will be greatly affected if we let companies off the hook for repeatedly violating workplace laws. In addition, President Obama's executive order helps to guarantee that Federal contractors comply with longstanding law that protects veterans and people with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace. It also encourages contractors to recruit, hire, promote, and retain these individuals. This is why the Paralyzed Veterans of America wrote a letter to the Speaker and minority leader asking that they oppose this resolution to ensure fair and safe working conditions for our veterans.…”