[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[House]
[Page H3526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE TIME HAS COME TO CHANGE THE OUTDATED DAVIS-BACON ACT

  (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, I would like attention to be directed to 
one of many problems on the outdated Davis-Bacon Act of 1931. As my 
colleagues know, this law requires the State and local construction 
projects receiving over $2,000 in Federal aid must adhere to the 
Federal prevailing wage, which on average is 17 to 22 percent higher 
than the State level. Because of these higher wages, State and local 
construction projects can cost up to 38 percent more than they would 
have without the act.
  This enormous waste of taxpayers dollars is proof that the Davis-
Bacon Act should be modernized. In the 70 years since its introduction, 
the act has never been adjusted for inflation and has not been amended 
according to current construction standards. Meanwhile, inflated Davis-
Bacon costs continually hinder emergency relief efforts and federally-
assisted construction projects because of the additional costs 
communities must pay if they receive a mere $2,000 in Federal aid.
  Because this $2,000 minimum was set in 1931 and has never been 
adjusted, the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Coble) and I have 
introduced H.R. 2094, the Davis-Bacon Modernization Act, which would 
increase the threshold from $2,000 to $100,000. While many of my 
colleagues believe this number is not high enough, I believe it is a 
good start. Let us make this law more reasonable and, above all, 
helpful. I urge my colleagues to help communities across the country to 
get more bang for their buck. Cosponsor and support the Davis-Bacon 
Modernization Act.

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