The bill was also introduced in the Senate for the first time. We believe that the prospects for passing our overtime legislation this year or next have increased. Furthermore, the Clinton Administration actually opposed our bill. We will work hard to convince new Commerce Secretary Evans that the NWS employees deserve true overtime for their work during weather emergencies. We have always cultivated a good relationship with Republicans as well as Democrats.
Inclement weather affects Republican districts as well as Democratic districts.
He is assisted in lobbying by the union's counsel, Richard Hirn, who is an active Democrat. We have an active political action committee that has contributed to Republican and Democratic Congressional campaigns equally. We ignore our personal political ideology when we decide to whom to contribute. We limit our choices to those members of Congress who have supported increased funding for the National Weather Service or who are in a position to do so. We also support candidates who can help us with passage of our overtime legislation.