Durbin Statement on President Bush's Decision to Reverse His Action on Davis-Bacon Act

Statement

DURBIN STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT BUSH'S DECISION TO REVERSE HIS ACTION ON DAVIS-BACON ACT

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the White House announced that President Bush will rescind his executive order that suspended Davis Bacon, a law that guarantees workers prevailing wages:

"I am pleased that the President has rescinded his executive order to cut the pay for workers involved with Katrina reconstruction projects. Reversing his decision to suspend the Davis-Bacon Act is a victory for workers in the Gulf Coast and it sends a strong signal that Democrats will not let the President dismantle our nation's labor laws."

"But I am deeply disappointed that this executive order was issued in the first place and that it was rescinded only after intense pressure from Congress, the media, labor leaders and workers all across this country. It should not take a public outcry to force the President of the United States to look out for the best interest of the working people of this country."

"The suspension of Davis Bacon by President Bush was a blow to the workers in the Gulf Coast trying to rebuild the region and their homes at a time when his Administration should have been offering a helping hand. In the midst of one of our nation's greatest recovery and rebuilding efforts, President Bush saw another opportunity to side with big business and against America's workers. Thank goodness reason has finally prevailed and the Bush Administration has turned away from this ill-conceived course."

"Democrats will continue to keep up the pressure on the White House and the rest of this Administration until President Bush makes his decision official."

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