Political Quotes

“I rise today to oppose S.J. Res. 6, a resolution to disapprove the ergonomics regulation promulgated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in January. I will vote to uphold this regulation because I believe that worker safety must be our first priority. This process was originated a decade ago during the first Bush administration, and there is more than sufficient evidence to show the devastating impact of these injuries on the workforce. In 1998 alone, ergonomic injuries caused 26,734 employees in Illinois to miss at least one day of work, and cost employees and employers in the State an estimated $2.3 billion. However, I also understand the concern that the regulation may overreach in some areas. The best way to address this concern is to let the rule stand, and then work to modify it. The approach we are taking today threatens any future action on this issue, by not allowing a similar rule to be enacted at a later date. It is my hope that if this resolution passes Secretary of labor Chao will, as she has previously stated, continue to pursue a comprehensive approach to ergonomics and that a regulation with wide support will be enacted in the near future to protect working men and women in Illinois and across the nation. Mr. Speaker, the success of this resolution must not become a tremendous loss for workers across the country. I hope this body will continue to give this topic the attention that it deserves.”