Rob Andrews: “I am going to vote to send this bill along to the conference and vote ``yes'' for two reasons: first, I think the bill…”

“I am going to vote to send this bill along to the conference and vote ``yes'' for two reasons: first, I think the bill very wisely includes relief for multi-employer plans, an issue that many of us have worked on for a very long period of time. These are plans run by small businesses who find large contributions to be very stifling to their ability to compete. I think this relief is long overdue, and it is the principle reason that I will vote to send the bill along to conference. The second reason is I think conference will finally be the forum where some very serious flaws in the bill can be addressed and renegotiated. Mr. Miller's substitute, which unfortunately was not made in order under this rule, addresses those flaws. First of all, the law makes it far too easy for failed pension plans to be dumped into the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation. Mr. Miller and Mr. Rangel had ideas that would preclude that dumping from happening. They ought to be adopted. Second, I think the law ought to make it clear that there cannot be bias or favoritism in favor of highly compensated people at the expense of the rank and file. Mr. Rangel and Mr. Miller's substitute accomplishes that. The underlying bill does not. These and some other issues, I believe, need to be worked out in the conference. I think, unfortunately, they should have been worked out on this House floor with a proper rule, but with those reservations I will vote to send the bill along to conference.”