Health and Safety

It's Time to Enact Health and Safety Legislation for Parliament Hill Workers

Parliamentary Employment Staff Relations Act Part III

Why can't our government do the same?

Here are some excerpts of what the members of the House of Representatives had to say about the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995.

Mr. Goodling (Pennsylvania-Republicans):

"…Let us send a bill to the President soon. I am pleased that after the last several years where many of us have felt alone in trying to bring attention to this issue that it now appears certain we are on the verge of enactment of true congressional coverage, Yes let us welcome the moment, but let us also admit that this is a step that should have been taken long ago.

We will never be as careful as we should be in passing, changing, and drafting laws until we ourselves are forced to comply with those laws and the fundamental unfairness of a double standard is obvious in any case. So let us not pat ourselves on the back too eagerly tonight. It is long overdue…."

Mr. Hamilton (Indiana-Democrats):

"…I think there are three reasons why it is important for Members of Congress to follow the same laws that cover the private sector. First, the widespread perception that Members have exempted themselves from many laws significantly undermines the confidence of the American people in this institution. We lose credibility and legitimacy when people believe that Members are somehow above the law.

Second, more fully applying laws to Congress will improve the quality of legislation that we pass. A number of Members have made that point this evening. It can be difficult for Members to understand completely the practical implications of the legislation that we pass when we are not forced to confront these implications in our own place of work.

Third, and this point I think has not been mentioned, it is simply unfair to congressional employees not to extend to them the same rights and protections available to those who work elsewhere."

Mr. Hoyer (Maryland-Democrats):

"...I want to tell them [his constituents] that we meet the same requirements that they do, that we follow the same laws that we ask them to, from OSHA to Fair Labor Standards."

Mr. Bartlett (Maryland-Republicans):

"…—it makes us comply wit the same laws we impose on the private sector including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and OSHA.

It is my view that Member of Congress should be treated the same as our laws treat the American people. If the laws we pass are good enough for our constituents, then they should be good enough for their Representatives in Congress. If these laws are so onerous, Congress should simply stop passing them.

…We have outlived the days when Congress can expect special and different treatment from the average employer. If the Constitution means anything for anyone, equal protection of the laws must apply to everyone."