Patty Murray: “about 10 years ago--during the first Bush Administration--Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole heard the stories and saw the…”

“about 10 years ago--during the first Bush Administration--Labor Secretary Elizabeth Dole heard the stories and saw the statistics about the serious ergonomic injuries that American workers suffer. For 10 years, the Department of Labor--in consultation with business, labor, and Congress--has worked to enact a fair, enforceable rule to protect America's workers from the real harm caused by ergonomic injuries. Now, with just a few hours of debate, some in this body are trying to undo a decade's worth of work. In fact, their actions would preclude the Department of Labor from enacting a similar rule. That sends a horrible message to America's working men and women. It says--we know you're breaking your back--literally--day-in and day-out to put food on your table, but this Congress won't do anything to protect you from a serious injury. Today, many people wear down their tendons and their joints on the job. They go home after a long day of work and just want to pick their kids up and hold them. But they can't because of ergonomic injuries. To them, this resolution that is before us says, ``Too bad. This Congress won't help you.'' Yes. This rule will have an economic impact on business in America. But we must also consider the economic impact of injured workers. If a family's primary breadwinner can't work because of an on-the-job ergonomic injury--there is a serious economic impact to that family, that community, and our country.”