Mike Thompson: “I thank Senator Gramm of Texas for his strong leadership on this issue. He is one of the most eloquent, logical, and…”

“I thank Senator Gramm of Texas for his strong leadership on this issue. He is one of the most eloquent, logical, and persuasive Senators who has ever served in the Senate, I am sure of that. The Senate is going to miss his strong voice. He is fierce in battle and he is magnanimous in victory. I am proud he is my friend, and I thank him for his comments. It does look as if we are at a point where we can come together on a homeland security bill. I hope it is not done in a way that is a grudging concession for some, that they believe it is a bad bill but must on balance vote for it. I hope the employees who are going to be in this Homeland Security Department do not feel they are going to be taken advantage of or this bill in some way strips them of basic rights. Those sorts of things have been alluded to, but they are simply not accurate. This bill preserves the antidiscrimination provisions and protections of title V--for example, discrimination based on color, race, religion, sex, age, handicap, marital status, or political affiliation; those protections are preserved. Those were never at issue. Protection from political coercion, a basic right that is set forth in title V, is preserved. Fair competition for employment is preserved, protection from nepotism whistleblower protection is preserved. Those rights are not trampled upon in any way. Workers are not being deprived of those rights. Veterans preference provisions are preserved.”