[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 139 (Thursday, October 14, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H10036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      WAIVE DAVIS-BACON FOR CLEAN-UP EFFORTS FROM HURRICANE FLOYD

  (Mr. BALLENGER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. BALLENGER. Mr. Speaker, in 1992, after the Hurricane Andrew hit 
south Florida, President Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon law with regard 
to the clean-up and rehabilitation work receiving funds. President 
Clinton revoked that suspension when he got into office, so it never 
really was tested to see whether it would help get clean-up work done 
quicker and cheaper. I have been pushing President Clinton to waive the 
Davis-Bacon Act for clean-up efforts in Hurricane Floyd in my State of 
North Carolina and elsewhere and even sent him a letter signed by many 
Members of the House.
  Waiving Davis-Bacon would not only save scarce Federal resources, but 
it would also save time in getting contractors out and create job 
opportunities for those in need of work. Unfortunately, I do not think 
I am going to get this administration to agree with me, even though it 
could save our taxpayers millions of dollars.

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