[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 158 (Thursday, October 12, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H9899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           NBC STORY ON DAVIS-BACON UNCOVERS FRAUD AND ABUSE

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, the Davis-Bacon Act has long outlived any 
usefulness that it may have had. The rationale for the act has never 
been very persuasive, but it remains law, adding millions to Federal 
construction costs.
  Last night, NBC news highlighted the Davis-Bacon Act as part of their 
series entitled ``The Fleecing of America.'' NBC reported on an 
Oklahoma investigation that has uncovered fraud and abuse in the 
administration of the Federal Davis-Bacon Act.
  In three specific cases, the Oklahoma Department of Labor found 
instances where survey data on phantom projects was submitted and ghost 
employees were identified, presumably with the intent of inflating 
prevailing wage determinations. Basing the wages on inflated and 
perhaps fraudulent data would drive up costs of Government construction 
projects, wasting limited taxpayer dollars.
  Scandals of this nature only further erode public confidence in the 
Government procurement process. This type of fraud and abuse must be 
stopped. Join me and the 119 cosponsors of H.R. 500, in supporting 
repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act.

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