Providing for Consideration of H.R. Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Flexibility for Workers Education Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Empowering Employer Child and Elder Care Solutions Act; Providing for Consideration of H.R. Tipped Employee Protection Act; and Providing for Consideration of H.R. Save Local Business Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, as we stand here, workers' rights are under attack, and working families are struggling to decide between paying rent and paying for groceries. Instead of lowering costs, this week, the Republicans are considering proposals that will reduce workers' wages, adversely affect their retirement savings, and give corporations and bosses loopholes to take money out of their pockets. This is untenable, and these are the proposals that Americans can least afford.

That is why we must defeat the previous question, so we can bring up and pass H.R. 20, the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, the PRO Act, to help workers organize. We know that when they organize, they will have higher pay, better benefits, and safer workplaces.

The PRO Act will be the most significant upgrade in U.S. labor law in over 80 years. For too long, workers have suffered from antiunion attacks and toothless labor laws that have undermined their right to work safely and be paid fairly.

The PRO Act will help hold lawbreaking employers accountable by imposing meaningful penalties for violating workers' rights. It will secure free, fair, and safe union elections by preventing employer interference. It will crack down on corporations that misclassify employees to stymie their right to organize.

This is a critical moment for working families. We cannot abandon our workers, the backbone of the American economy, when they are under attack from antiworker politicians and lawbreaking corporations.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in defeating the previous question so that, instead of reducing workers' wages, we can support this bicameral, bipartisan legislation to ensure that workers can earn the pay and benefits they are owed for their hard work.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source