Sheila Jackson Lee: “Let me be very clear. It is an important point to make that Democrats--the committee Democrats, in particular--recognize…”

“Let me be very clear. It is an important point to make that Democrats--the committee Democrats, in particular--recognize that a few bad actors are not going to deter or dissuade us from taking this historic step towards strengthening workers' rights to organize and restoring balance to the economy. As I said earlier, the growing support for unions is phenomenal. Millions of Americans look for a better quality of life because unions are negotiating on their behalf. If this particular employee at the fast-food organization had a union, she would be able to organize and ensure that she got $15 an hour, or to be able to make sure she had better healthcare for her young 5-year-old. Madam Chair, this is legislation that is long in coming. And my amendment adds to the importance of it by protecting whistleblowers who work for employers and work for unions. I also want to say that the Government Accountability Project that protects whistleblowers is supporting this legislation. I would ask that my colleagues support it because we are standing up to corruption, but we are also standing up for workers--workers who need opportunities and the ability to get a better quality of life. Madam Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.”