Mark Takano: “I stand in strong opposition to this amendment. My friends across the aisle regularly reject legislation because it…”

“I stand in strong opposition to this amendment. My friends across the aisle regularly reject legislation because it encroaches on states' rights, yet their commitment to State sovereignty disappears when it comes to protecting workers. This amendment does more than just clarify the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act of 1994. It changes and expands its application to preempt the will of States such as mine. California's meal and rest break laws ensure a safe working environment for truck drivers traveling within the State, and the U.S. Court of Appeals specifically ruled these laws are not preempted by the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act. This amendment overrules the court and State legislatures to weaken labor protections at the industry's request. As a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, and as a Californian, I stand in strong opposition to this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote against it. Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.”