Donald M. Payne: “I would like to inform the supporters of this amendment that by cutting the appropriation levels for the Occupational…”

“I would like to inform the supporters of this amendment that by cutting the appropriation levels for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration you are sending a message to hard-working Americans that their health and their safety are not worth the money. While I certainly see the merits in increasing funds for the vocational education, I cannot support this amendment because it places too many people at risk. I agree vocational education will increase the number of trained workers. However, I cannot see how, as some of my colleagues have suggested, an increase of funding for vocational education will result in a large decrease in occupational hazards. These hazards are many times not the result of unskilled workers but the result of companies and businesses who choose not to comply with OSHA standards because of the cost. For example, in Newark, NJ, three workers died in a plant fire in 1992 because the plant did not comply with OSHA regulations. Also, we must take into consideration that some jobs are quite simply dangerous and need regulations to prevent accidents from occurring. Here in Congress, I think we forget that a majority of Americans count on OSHA inspectors and requirements to protect them from the daily dangers of their occupation. Therefore, I implore my colleagues to recognize the need to ensure the safety of our workers by not voting for this amendment.”