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Biden: Labor legislation to pass this year

By Eric Zimmermann - 09/07/09 10:44 AM ET

Controversial legislation that would make it easier to organize unions will pass this year, Vice President Joe Biden said today.

Appearing at a Labor Day rally in Pittsburgh, Biden praised the role of unions in building the middle class and said the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) will make it through Congress before the end of the year, the Associated Press reports.

That's a very optimistic timeline, considering that Democrats are already putting all their legislative muscle behind healthcare reform.

Though the AP didn't quote Biden directly, it seems the vice president referred to the full name of the legislation rather than the familiar shorthand term "card-check." That's actually a big difference. "Card-check" refers to the most controversial part of the legislation, allowing a union to form via a collection of signed cards rather than a secret-ballot election.

If that provision were dropped from EFCA, the legislation would certainly have an easier time making it to the president's desk.

A top AFL-CIO official hinted last week that labor organizations might be willing to compromise on the card-check provision.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/57491-biden-efca-will-pass-this-year
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Comments (18)

What else would you expect him to say in front of a labor group. Card Check will pass when the Goverment Option passes - which doen't seem likely.BY Barry In Las Vegas on 09/07/2009 at 14:05
That is why 'card check' will pass because, as long as Public Option is on the table now with HealthCare Reform, Labor will stand behind congress and the President. Labor will be thanked for their support of Public Option and in return will have an easier sail through congress with 'Card Check'.I think I like it!BY EDClemons on 09/07/2009 at 15:48
Hey, Joe…see the article "Poll: Labor unions losing popularity" on this site. BTW, Your village called, they want their idot to come home.BY Michelle on 09/07/2009 at 18:20
Patty says;Every day I wake up feeling anxious and frightened as Obama becomes more and more a dictator and our Congress and the Republican Party do nothing. Obama ignores the Constitution, smiles blandly, speaks with praiseworthy rhetotic filled with lies and many of the people say "What a nice guy!" It is my hope and prayer that nice guys finish last. Of course he could take off his "nice guy" suit. Then we would see the horror that was elected to the highest office in the land.BY Patricia Hefferan on 09/08/2009 at 10:41
We seriously have to start voting Libertarian or this country is screwed.BY Ingy on 09/08/2009 at 10:42
With everything that Obama has on the table, if we don't encourage "Impeachment of the President" now, America is going to end up no different then a 3 rd world country. American's who make no effort to learn what is actually going on will blindly follow Obama into disaster.BY Lonnie Collett on 09/08/2009 at 10:46
Impeach O and what's left - Biden - Polosi - we're doomed unless we seriously clean the big house!BY Mary in Katy, TX on 09/08/2009 at 11:31
I am a Viet Nam Vet and proud to have served, even thought when I came home in Dec 68, there were no crowds on hand, I had changed to civilian clothes before I got off the plane, we had people then trying to ruin our country, these same people, minus Teddy, may the Devil rest his soul, are back at it again, this time with a leader who is is a wolf in sheep's clothing. I have been called a racist because I have said things about the President, and I am not a racist. I am a concerned citizen, who is worried about the direction these people who are really running the country who were not elected by the people, the Czars that have been appointed. We need to get this president and his people out of office before he does more damage. I don't know what it will take, but what ever the measures that are needed to impeach him, the congressmen, and the senators that are pushing the country into a 3 world country, out of office. It is time for real Americans to stand up, we have let immigeration, and civil rights make a nation of people who have no intention of better themselves, as long as we (the Government) will take care of their needs from cradle to death.We have to get the Gov. out of private business, if GM fails, then is fails and comes back leaner and meaner, with out the unions and other countrys.Remember, the only people who can make this a great country are you and me, there is no savior waiting on the sidelines to come to our defense, just us. Let you Gov. officials know how you feel, let them know that if they can't do the job, then someone else can. Also, let's push for a two term limit for Senators and Congressmen, make where they can not make it a career, and get rid of the retirement and health benefits they have, and make them use Medicare and Social Security as their plansKeep up the good fightBY Errol on 09/08/2009 at 11:38
I have been all for impeaching this comic guy some call our president. He is not my president, and if he came to my home I would give hime a can of beans and a can opener. We have to stop him from ruining our country for our children and grandchildren. The constitution says to protect this country from all who would damge it both foreign and domestic and that means we must get together and fight with not jiust words. we must put them down before they get any stronger. Why does obama need all these 30 or so czars? So if ny one goes against him he has a executioner in place to kill or capture us. Thank this hearatge for letting us put our thoughts into the air. glenndonna@att.netBY Glenn D. Taylor Sr. on 09/08/2009 at 12:20
People have been hung for less treasonous acts than this president has done.BY Rick Ritcheson  on 09/08/2009 at 12:59

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