KENNEDY ON FAIR COMPETITION AMENDMENT PASSAGE

WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the passage of the Fair Competition Amendment in the Defense Authorization bill. “The dedicated civilian employees of the Department of Defense are the backbone of our commitment to keep our troops safe and protect our nation. Unfortunately, these hardworking Americans – many of whom are veterans – have been under sustained attack by the Bush Administration’s irresponsible outsourcing rules. The protections in this bill will give our civilian defense workers the fair treatment they deserve – they’ll be able to compete on a level playing field, and prove that they’re the best workers for the job. Our men and women in uniform deserve the best possible support for their missions at home and abroad. By ending the current abuses, that’s what they’ll get.” ###