[VIDEO] Sen. Paul speaks on Senate floor against Davis-Bacon wage laws

[jct74]

Rand introduced an amendment to the FAA bill to exempt the FAA from Davis-Bacon wage laws, which basically requires that all federal government construction contracts pay wages above a certain level. He spoke 3 times in favor of the amendment he introduced, at the following times:

6:03:05 - 6:06:40
7:12:35 - 7:15:40
7:31:40 - 7:33:40

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/SenateSession4673

(Note: You can set the time marker much easier if you go into full-screen mode for the video player)


Also, if anyone is interested, between the 2nd and 3rd time Rand spoke there was debate on his amendment. Senators Harkin and Rockefeller spoke against Paul's amendment while Senators Hutchison and Alexander spoke in favor of it.

[jct74]

His amendment failed in a 55-42 vote by the way. Here is the vote breakdown:
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00011

[ronaldo23]

why did he vote against his own amendment?

[jct74]

why did he vote against his own amendment?

The vote was on whether to dismiss the amendment. He voted no.

[hazek]

Wow he is really sticking it to the rest :D

[TXcarlosTX]

gangster!!!

[muzzled dogg]

Is there a tewb of this

[jct74]

Is there a tewb of this

not yet

[jct74]

Press release from Rand:


Senator Rand Paul Offers Amendment to Exempt FAA From Davis-Bacon
Published on 04 February 2011 by admin in Press Releases
0 Feb 3, 2011

First proposed in his $500 billion spending-cut package, amendment offers free-market approach to federal projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senator Rand Paul (Ky.) today offered an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, which would exempt FAA from Davis-Bacon restrictions concerning federal construction projects. This amendment was introduced in conjunction with Sen. Paul’s proposed $500 billion in spending cuts, which he introduced last week. The amendment was voted down 42-55. Sen. Paul made the following statements on the Senate floor this afternoon prior to the vote:

“This amendment would prevent Davis-Bacon restrictions from inflating the cost of federal building projects in our country, to provide for the things that we want. We can build 20 percent to 30 percent more airports if we don’t force union wages that are above the market wages on government projects,” Sen. Paul said today. “I think it’s inexcusable at a time when we run a deficit of between $1.5 trillion and $2 trillion in a year that we want to inflate the cost of government projects. The marketplace should determine the market for wages.”

“Many people in this city say they are for a balanced budget. But how can you be for a balanced budget amendment if you’re not willing to cut spending? Well, this is a very small step, that’s long overdue. It’s a chance for members who say they are for a balanced budget to put their vote where their mouth is. Let’s vote to cut spending starting with this bill,” he concluded.
http://www.randpaul2010.com/2011/02/senator-rand-paul-offers-amendment-to-exempt-faa-from-davis-bacon/


and from the president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department:


WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- America's Building Trades Unions applaud the bi-partisan action taken yesterday by the U.S. Senate to defeat an attempt by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to deny Davis-Bacon Act wage protections on Federal Aviation Administration construction projects. By a vote of 55-42, the Senate tabled Paul's amendment to the FAA re-authorization bill (S.223). We were especially pleased that three Republican senators – Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kirk (R-IL), and Mike Johanns (R-NE) – voted in favor of tabling this amendment.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100908/DC61508)

The Davis-Bacon Act is sound and proven public policy. Senator Paul's actions yesterday were nothing more than a political stunt; particularly in light of the fact that Kentucky has its own state prevailing wage law – which demonstrates just how far out of step Senator Paul is, even with his own constituents. Opponents of the Davis-Bacon Act have always had a vested interest in seeking its demise in order to protect and further advance an economically and socially destructive business model in the construction industry that it premised upon the ability to maximize opportunity and profit through the utilization, and exploitation, of a low-wage construction workforce.

In the absence of prevailing wage laws that protect community standards, contractors do not compete on the basis of who can best train, best equip and best manage a construction crew. Instead, they compete on the basis of who can find the cheapest workers, either locally or by importing labor from elsewhere. This, in and of itself, puts the quality of construction, and in many cases, taxpayer investments, at risk. In fact, numerous studies have shown that in local areas where prevailing wage laws have been repealed substantial cost overruns become the norm.

The Building and Construction Trades Department is an alliance of 13 national and international unions that collectively represent over 2 million skilled craft professionals in the United States and Canada

SOURCE Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/216018

[forsmant]

Mike Johanns? Hes gonna get a critical letter for this mis step.

[doctor jones]

I especially loved Rand's last statement. He is really calling them out. Harkin & Rockefeller's "quality" attacks were so frivolous. Those two are either that dumb or true deceitful snakes.

[muzzled dogg]

not yet

Cool thanks I'd like to see it