[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1298-E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CONTRACT OR REGULATIONS

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                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, this is the time of year when millions of 
homeowners take the plunge and hire a contractor to fix the roof or add 
a deck or make any one of dozens of important--but costly--home 
improvements.
  Now, if you're like most people, before hiring a contractor you want 
to make sure that you're dealing with a reputable firm.
  For instance, you wouldn't want to hire a company with a record for 
leaving trash in people's yards. You wouldn't want to hire a company 
known for breaking the law. That's just common sense.
  Well, that's what the President's proposed contractor regulations 
are, too: common sense.
  The regulations say that, before the federal government awards a 
contract, we ought to consider a company's record. It says we ought to 
look at how responsible a firm has been before they get one nickel in 
taxpayer money. It says America's government ought to be as careful 
spending money as America's families are.
  Now, I call that being a smart consumer.
  That's different from the way things are now.
  As it stands today, if the government has to sue a contractor, 
taxpayers can be forced to pay the company's lawyer bill--even if the 
company loses.
  And it doesn't stop there.
  Under current law, it's okay for a contractor to charge Uncle Sam for 
the costs of fighting to keep their workers from organizing a union.
  As incredible as it seems, that's something that actually happens 
today.

[[Page E1299]]

  Should any contractor be worried about this measure?
  Not the reputable ones who follow the law.
  Today we can send a powerful message. The message is that, from here 
on in, when it comes to spending tax dollars, the United States 
government is going to be one tough customer.

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