Thomas Daschle: “Preserving the prerogative of the majority, I want to close out this debate. Let me respond in a couple of ways. First…”

“Preserving the prerogative of the majority, I want to close out this debate. Let me respond in a couple of ways. First of all, this amendment does not federalize state labor laws. This amendment says if a state has a right-to-work law, we will respect it. What this amendment also says to every firefighter in the country: If you want to negotiate in a collective bargaining arrangement with your employer, you have the right to do so. The process is not dictated. There is no requirement that employers agree with those firefighters who want to enter into a collective bargaining arrangement. Who would deny the right to a firefighter today to enter into a collective bargaining arrangement if he or she chooses to do so? That is all we are suggesting. We protect right-to-work laws. We protect rights of the State. I think we ought to protect the rights of all firefighters too.”