Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I must rise in opposition to this amendment. This amendment will destroy the labor reforms in the legislation, leaving in place the status quo that has helped bring us to the brink of bankruptcy with Amtrak. Indeed, this amendment will destroy the labor reform in this legislation, which is, and I emphasize this, which is precisely, exactly, the same labor reform which passed this House in the last Congress by a vote of 406 to 4. Indeed, the labor reform which passed this House overwhelmingly in the last Congress and which is in this legislation before us today was drafted by Congressman Quinn back in 1995 with Labor's full participation, and, indeed, is exactly word for word the same labor reforms that Labor supported in the last Congress. So if we are going to save Amtrak, if we are going to unlock the $2.3 billion needed to help save Amtrak, it is necessary, it is vital, that we keep in place the labor reforms, which this House previously overwhelmingly agreed to. For that reason, I must oppose the amendment of my friend.”