STATEMENT OF EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON LEGISLATION REPEALING ADMINISTRATION POLICY ATTACKING PENSIONS AND HEALTHCARE

Washington, DC: Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, joined by Senators Reid, Baucus, Bingaman, Mikulski, Cantwell, and House Democrats, introduced legislation to block a Department of Energy policy slashing workers’ pensions and healthcare. This legislation would halt a Department of Energy policy that would compel contractors to stop providing the secure pensions and health care benefits they have long offered to their workers. Senator Kennedy said: “These workers provide critical services to support our national defense and energy security. By attacking their secure pensions and quality healthcare benefits, this Administration is undermining our government’s ability to protect our nation and strengthen our economy. And it is broadcasting a message that American workers’ secure retirement and good healthcare should be put on the chopping block. The federal government should be a champion for good worker benefits, instead of leading the race to the bottom.” ###