Providing for Consideration of H.R. Faster Labor Contracts Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. MRVAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Scott and Representative Norcross for bringing this to our attention.

The men and women who pour our steel and power our grid built the middle class with a union card in their pocket. This bill makes sure the next generation of workers can earn one without waiting to be heard for months, years, or decades.

I rise today to express my strong support for H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act.

My good friend, the chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, mentioned this administration and how much they like the working public, working men and women. It was in March and on Labor Day that they stripped collective bargaining in the greatest historical moment in stripping collective bargaining from the workforce of Federal employees to the tune of 445,000 Federal workers. Therefore, when we talk about union workers and working men and women, this administration made history by stripping collective bargaining from almost half a million people.

Throughout my career as a public servant, I have been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with all members of organized labor because working families are worth fighting for. They are the foundation of the strength of our communities, our workforce, and our economy.

It is because of decades of their efforts and their advocacy that they have built not just our infrastructure--our roads and bridges and waterways--but they have built our middle class through promoting safe working conditions, affordable healthcare options, and a sound retirement.

When workers vote in the affirmative to form a union, the government should ensure that businesses immediately acknowledge and respect their voice. I applaud the leadership of Representative Norcross in this bipartisan process. There are Republicans who crossed over to vote for this.

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Mr. MRVAN. There were Republicans who crossed over to allow this bill to come to the floor--again, in a bipartisan process to bring this matter to a vote because working men and women matter. In northwest Indiana, they are worth fighting for.

I encourage all my colleagues to support this important measure. Again, this administration made history by cutting collective bargaining to over half a million Federal employees and did that on Labor Day.

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