I strongly oppose H.R. 940, the proposed bill to amend the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, as a reckless and dangerous piece of legislation that breaks the 1984 bipartisan Amendments between conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats with what amount to poverty-level benefits in most State workers' compensation programs. I will move immediately to introduce an amendment to the Act that will restore the current law with respect to the exemption for the recreational marine industry.

By amending H.R. 940, the Congress would subsidize the building, repair and maintenance costs of the multi-million dollar yacht owners quite literally on the backs of seriously injured workers and the families of others killed in dangerous work on vessels that could be of any length, from 200 to 500 feet, or longer.

This would deny countless workers and their family’s adequate coverage when faced with injury or death on-the-job, and in a significant number of cases no coverage at all. At the same time, it takes away their legitimate right to address claims for damages in the courts. I ask unanimous consent that a letter from the AFL-CIO confirming this assessment be entered into the Congressional Record. H.R. 940 rewards the super-rich at the expense of hard-working Americans and their families. Furthermore, the amendment to the bill raises pressing Constitutional questions by undermining the fundamental American value of fairness. For all these reasons, I urge my colleagues to join me in adamant opposition to H.R. 940.

If ever a bill conceptualized as a 'paradise for lawyers,' H.R.940 is it. Our workers, working families, and the American public deserve better and they can get it by sticking with the existing law found in the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act.
 

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