Patrick Kennedy: “And let me say to the people what this bill does in terms of child labor. We always complain when we see those stories…”

“And let me say to the people what this bill does in terms of child labor. We always complain when we see those stories about that 5-year-old, that 12-year-old over in some part of this world that is weaving together a rug that will be sent back to this country and sold at Wal-Mart for $10. And yet $10 will probably be all that child sees in any given year, and under this bill this administration cuts by over $100 million the funding to inspect and enforce child labor laws around the world. Let me just give an example. Between 5 years of age and 14 years of age, there are over 250 million children between 5 and 14 who are working in violation of the International Labor Organization standards. Do the Members not think we ought to do something about that. Do the Members not think that this country has a moral obligation to ensure that these children are not being exploited? Apparently, the administration does not feel that way. They have cut the budget $100 million.”