Political Quotes

“I wish to discuss my absence during the vote to table the Senate amendment No. 3419 offered by my colleague Senator Lieberman. Although my vote would not have affected the outcome, I would have voted to table the amendment. The language in the legislation, which was also included in the Jordan Free Trade Agreement signed into law on September 28, 2001, is vital to ensuring that Congress preserves its exclusive right to establish and enforce U.S. labor and environmental standards. During the vote I was attending a White House signing ceremony for H.R. 169, the Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act, 'No FEAR' Act. I was the sponsor of this legislation in the Senate, S. 201--the Federal Employee Protection Act. The press has referred to the No FEAR Act as 'the first civil rights bill of the new century.' It significantly strengthens existing laws protecting Federal employees from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for whistle blowing in the workplace. It is an unfortunate fact that too many federal employees are subjected to such treatment with alarming regularity. I am pleased that President Bush has signed this important legislation and honored I was invited to the Oval Office for the signing ceremony. No FEAR will promote a more productive work environment by ensuring agencies enforce the laws intended to protect Federal employees.”