Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, yes, he is. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the TVA Salary Transparency Act. The Tennessee Valley Authority is an American public power company providing electricity to over 10 million people in Tennessee and six surrounding States. TVA employs over 10,000 people, some of whom make millions of dollars per year. That is millions, Mr. Speaker, and this is in Tennessee. Tennesseans deserve to know how TVA operates and compensates their executives, especially when TVA covers a region that is 65,000 square miles and the compensation is to the tune of millions of dollars. There is no such thing as too much transparency, and I hope our friends in the media cover this. The TVA Salary Transparency Act requires TVA to report to Congress on the salaries of employees making more than $123,000 annually or the highest pay rate available for Federal employees. Specifically, TVA must report on those employees' names, salaries, and job responsibilities. I have continuously advocated for greater transparency from TVA in other areas as a State legislator, as mayor, and now as a Congressman. Passing this bill is a step in the right direction. Mr. Speaker, once again, I thank Representative Cohen for his work on this bill, and I ask my colleagues to support this bill. It will provide transparency to the millions of folks who rely on the Tennessee Valley Authority. {time} 1715”