John Sarbanes: “I want to congratulate subcommittee Chairman Bond and Ranking Member Murray for successfully concluding this conference…”

“I want to congratulate subcommittee Chairman Bond and Ranking Member Murray for successfully concluding this conference report. I would like to note that this is the first time this subcommittee, as currently constituted, has brought a conference report to the Senate and, in my view, this report is a worthy achievement and I intend to support it. I note, in particular, the strong title on Transportation funding in the report. We all worked very hard to pass a Transportation authorization bill earlier this year that maintains a balanced transportation program, ensuring adequate funding for both our Nation's highways and transit programs. In my view, both of these components are extremely important to the future economic growth of our country, and I am happy to note that the conference report being brought to us this afternoon is largely faithful to the provisions included in SAFETEA-LU. The report's provisions regarding Federal employees are also to be commended. The report includes language that will help Federal employees to compete on a more level playing field with contractors in cases where Federal agencies decide to consider contracting out jobs. The report ensures pay parity for all Federal employees--military and civilian alike.…”