Political Quotes

“the Republican majority has placed a provision in the budget bill to expand the definition of independent contractor. Because of the negotiation on tax cuts and health insurance for children and Medicare, not much has been said about this issue. Mr. Speaker, this provision goes a long way toward taking away many of the benefits that employees need. We are not talking about personal parking spaces or perks. We are talking about health insurance coverage, pensions, and employer contributions to Social Security and unemployment insurance. Employers say they want clear rules on how to classify an independent contractor. We can clarify those rules very easily without leaving a hole that one can drive a Mack truck through. If this provision passes, perhaps millions of workers will lose their benefits and be classified as working for themselves, even though this is not the case. Outside of Washington people are concerned about and oppose this systematic downsizing and lowering of our standard of living. That is what this provision will do. There is lots in that tax bill to be concerned about, but one of the things I am concerned about is the complaint of the American people that their standard of living is being lowered. They are doing it with this Republican bill.”