Political Quotes

“I have and always will be strongly committed to our Nation's fire, police and emergency rescue personnel. Career emergency workers and the individuals who are members of our Nation's over 22,000 all volunteer fire stations are on the front lines in America's new war on terrorism. They have a critical role in our homeland defense initiatives. Virginia is a Right to Work State and has passed laws explicitly prohibiting public safety unions. Passage of the Daschle amendment would impose an unfunded Federal mandate on States and preempt the existing guidelines and laws in the 27 States which do not have comprehensive collective bargaining rights for public safety employees. States and localities must retain the flexibility to operate effectively and manage their public safety workforce as it is most appropriate for their particular needs. It is not the right time for the Federal Government to intervene with the rights of State and local governments, burdening them with additional requirements which may strain the limited financial resources of our local governments.”