Foster Speaks Out Against Right-To-Work Zones On House Floor

Washington, DC—Today, on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, Congressman Bill Foster (IL-11) spoke out against Governor Bruce Rauner's proposal to create right-to-work zones in Illinois.

Video of Foster's speech is available here.

Text of Foster's remarks is below:

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

Today, I rise to commend the communities in my district that have rejected the Governor of Illinois' efforts to create so-called "right-to-work zones."

Rather than lifting Illinois up to make life better for working families, the Governor's divisive plan would drag down all corners of the state in a race to the bottom.

These zones are a gimmick to pit communities against each other, to deprive workers of their rights, and to weaken unions.

Rather than creating good paying jobs for Illinois workers, these zones will depress wages across the state by incentivizing companies to move to whatever town offers them the possibility of paying lower wages and offering fewer benefits.

We shouldn't be asking hardworking men and women to work for poverty wages to make up for the fiscal deficit Illinois faces.

A deficit which is caused, in large part, by laws that we pass right here on the floor of Congress that cause the citizens of Illinois to pay $20 billion more each year in taxes than we get back in federal spending.

Unions did not cause the problems that Illinois faces, and cutting workers' pay will not solve them.

So I commend those in Naperville, Aurora Township, Oswego, and communities throughout Illinois fighting against this bad policy.

I'm proud to stand with you.