Political Quotes

“I appreciate the gentleman yielding me the time. Let me be clear. This bill enhances opportunities for TSOs. It increases the possibility of them getting employment by putting them on the GS schedule for Federal employees, so I am somewhat mystified that a bill that is designed to bring a group of employees into a system that all other Federal employees are in is somehow penalizing those employees. The very intent of this bill is to level the playing field for TSOs, who, everybody agrees, are doing a wonderful job, so I continue to be somewhat baffled by the arguments against it. I support the gentleman from Maryland's amendment. This amendment adds additional language to the bill to reiterate Congress' intent that TSA employees should have the same protections and benefits as the rest of the Federal workforce. This current system that we have is not working for TSA employees. All you have to do is talk to them. When you go through the airports, just ask them: ``Are you happy with how you are being treated and paid right now?'' Without a doubt, they will tell you: ``No.'' So this is to fix it. I compliment the gentleman from Maryland's strengthening of the intent of this legislation. But, more importantly, the bargaining unit that represents the employees, the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents all the TSOs, all 46,000, they are in support of it. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.”