Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to the amendment. A nonpartisan civil service ensures Federal agencies carry out their missions with professionalism, safeguards the rule of law over partisanship, and ensures continuity between Presidential administrations. This didn't use to be a dispute in Washington, D.C. There was a clear, longstanding bipartisan consensus behind these principles until the previous administration attempted to undermine statutory merit- based protections for Federal civil servants. Their effort would have moved tens of thousands of career Federal employees to a new job classification that would remove their employment protections. This amendment seeks to block the Office of Personnel Management's efforts to uphold these vital protections and works to undermine the integrity of a merit-based, nonpartisan civil service. Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this amendment, and I urge a ``no'' vote. I reserve the balance of my time.”