Roy Cooper: “this is the amendment that was banned in Washington. This is the amendment that Republican leadership does not want us…”

“this is the amendment that was banned in Washington. This is the amendment that Republican leadership does not want us to vote on. Why? They are afraid Members will like it. They are afraid it will pass. They are afraid that the real majority in this great House of Representatives, common sense, the Democrats and Republicans working together, will like what is in this amendment. That is why the Committee on Rules did not allow it to be considered in either rule, and that is why the chairman of the Committee on Armed Services did not allow an amendment like this to be put before the Committee on Armed Services. What is in the Cooper-Davis-Van Hollen amendment that makes it so controversial? Members will be surprised when they read it. There are copies at the desk. It is a relatively simple three-page DOD civilian bill of rights. No new rights are extended. All we are trying to do is to make sure, to make absolutely sure, that existing civilian employees' rights are preserved. Let me read section A. The right of an employee to receive a veterans preference in hiring and reduction in force shall not be abridged. Who in this House is against that? An employee shall have the right to be free from favoritism, nepotism, or discrimination. Who in this House is against that? The Secretary shall not refuse to bargain in good faith with a labor organization. Who in this House is against that? The Secretary shall submit negotiating impasses to an impartial panel.…”