Barbara Mikulski: “I rise with vigor to unabashedly oppose the amendment of the Senator from Wyoming. The reason I do is that he…”

“I rise with vigor to unabashedly oppose the amendment of the Senator from Wyoming. The reason I do is that he reintroduces the words ``quota'' and ``target.'' The amendment of the Senator from Wyoming essentially says that a ``target'' or a ``goal'' is to be considered--``target, target, quota, quota.'' I thought we didn't like targets and quotas. I am surprised that the Senator from Wyoming is so enthusiastic about them. Under the Thomas amendment, Federal managers will still be forced to meet arbitrary quotas for privatization without real criteria, rationales, or consideration. Under the Thomas amendment, the goal is to get a quota or a target--not better government. Let us be very clear. My original amendment never did seek the end to privatization. Privatization must be based on thoughtful criteria as established by the Congress in the FAIR Act. Let us privatize Federal jobs where appropriate, but let us keep a strong, independent Federal workforce.”