Sherrod Brown: “I thank Senator Kennedy again for his comments. Look at what happened in this country over the last decades, as we set…”

“I thank Senator Kennedy again for his comments. Look at what happened in this country over the last decades, as we set up a system of collective bargaining for private employees. This body had no interest in telling GM and the UAW how to negotiate a contract, only that the rights of collective bargaining are recognized in this country. We have the same view--not a mandate, not an unfunded mandate, to be sure--the same view of setting up collective bargaining with governments, elected officials, in all that we do. As Senator Kennedy said, it is all pushed to the local level. They will make the decisions. That is why defeat of the Alexander amendment is crucial. It undoes all the good in this bill. After defeating the Alexander amendment, this legislation should receive an affirmative vote.”