Eleanor Norton actually said...

"If we're going to have these, have the best workforce in the country because of the nature of the work, Federal work, are we recruiting people at the same level that the private sector is"

"You mean you met with the union and you all didn't even discuss this?"

"I was impressed with your testimony. I, in a prior life, ran a Federal agency, and at the time, the important issue was efficiency, so I endorse your ideas to make the agencies more efficient."

"it does seem to me to be a violation of the ability to bargain at all."