and people in this body, particularly the other party, ought to be listening to the national treasury employees union or the national active and retired federal employees association. they have come out in opposition to this proposal of o.p.m. running a national health insurance company. in "the washington post" story highlighting union opposition, the author writes that unions raise these concerns. quote -- "legitimate concerns about expanding the size and scope of o.p.m. beyond its capacity." so there are already concerns from a former director and more than 5 mil million federal work, retirees and dependents that o.p.m. is not equipped to handle this new responsibility. that alone should make any member pause before signing on to this so-called broad agreement. but i also think that it's important that members are aware of some of the challenges the office of personnel management faces with its current responsibilities, without loading it down with a lot more. because being human resources department for the federal government is obviously no easy task. in fact, i would imagine it's a pretty thank

customs and border protection and the national treasury employees union which represents the employees. may i have an additional minute? mr. cuellar: yield an additional one minute to the gentleman from new york. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for an additional minute. mr. engel: i thank the gentleman. this is a bipartisan bill. i repeat it is supported by the u.s. customs and border protection and the national treasury employees union which represents the employees. each has had the opportunity for input into the final legislation. i would strongly encourage my colleagues to join with me in support again of this bipartisan legislation. continued employment of these individuals is in the best interest of c.b.p. and the best interest of our country as the work requirement remains and is critical to c.b.p. plow texting our nation's -- protecting our nation's borders. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from texas reserves. the gentleman from alabama is recognized. mr. rogers: thank you, mr. speaker.

and people in this body, particularly the other party, ought to be listening to the national treasury employees unionor the national active and retired federal employees association. they have come out in opposition to this proposal of o.p.m. running a national health insurance company. in "the washington post" story highlighting union opposition, the author writes that unions raise these concerns. quote -- "legitimate concerns about expanding the size and scope of o.p.m. beyond its capacity." so there are already concerns from a former director and more than 5 mil million federal work, retirees and dependents that o.p.m. is not equipped to handle this new responsibility. that alone should make any member pause before signing on to this so-called broad agreement. but i also think that it's important that members are aware of some of the challenges the office of personnel management faces with its current responsibilities, without loading it down with a lot more. because being human resources department for the federal government is obviously no easy task. in fact, i would imagine it's a pretty thankl