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."
