[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 3 (Thursday, January 22, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mr. Lautenberg):
  S. 2023. A bill to limit Department of Defense contracting with firms 
under investigation by the inspector General of the Department of 
Defense; to the Committee on Armed Services.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation, along with 
my good friend from New Jersey, Senator Lautenberg, to ensure that 
American taxpayers are given greater protection when the Defense 
Department seeks to procure property or services. The United States is 
spending billions of dollars in its military and reconstruction efforts 
in Iraq and Afghanistan, and much of this money is going to private 
companies.
  The purpose of this legislation is simple. It would ban companies 
under investigation for procurement abuse and possible criminal conduct 
from receiving no-bid defense contracts. By closing a loophole in 
current law, the Department of Defense would no longer be permitted to 
enter into contracts, through a process that does not ensure full and 
open competition, with contractors simultaneously being investigated by 
the Pentagon's Office of Inspector General. The legislation also 
provides that if the President chooses to waive the prohibition in the 
interest of national security, he must notify Congress with a full and 
public explanation.
  While our men and women in the Armed Services are making 
extraordinary sacrifices for this country, companies under 
investigation by the Pentagon's Inspector General should be barred from 
lining their pockets with money from no-bid contracts.

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