Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman. Right now, as the provision is written, as you know, it is silent on that issue, and so it doesn't address the Davis-Bacon issue, as I am aware the Corps of Engineers would be complying with. Mr. DeFAZIO. Reclaiming my time, well then, you know, given that, I mean, we have had myriad debates on the floor of the House and in the committee over the years from those who come in and say: gee, we can do it a lot cheaper if we pay minimum wage; we can do it a lot cheaper if we bring in illegal immigrants; you know, on and on and on. Sure, you can do things more cheaply, but the idea and the bedrock of Davis-Bacon is we pay skilled workers a living wage that is the prevailing wage in the local area. The committee has never passed an amendment gutting Davis-Bacon, despite many attempts on the committee. I feel that this would, unfortunately--the way the gentleman has just phrased it, says it is silent on the issue--undermine Davis-Bacon, and, therefore, I would oppose the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.”