[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 124 (Thursday, September 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1882]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE CONTRACTOR ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2006

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mrs. MALONEY. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce legislation that will 
fortify the current Federal debarment system. The United States is the 
largest consumer in the world and invests over $215 billion in goods 
and services annually.
  Yet the Federal government's watchdogs, the Federal suspension and 
debarment officials, currently lack the information they need to 
protect our business interests. We have no central way of accounting 
for the performance of our purchases. Beyond a listing of currently 
debarred or suspended persons, officials are limited to their 
individual agency's knowledge of an entity's track record, press 
reports and personal contacts with other agencies. The American 
public's knowledge is limited even further. Often times this allows 
Federal contractors and assistance recipients to repeatedly violate 
Federal law yet still receive millions of dollars from the Federal 
government. In a time when corporate accounting scandals are being 
revealed at an unprecedented pace, isn't it wise to have a full 
accounting of the Federal government's investments?
  The Contractors Accountability Act of 2006 establishes a centralized 
database on actions taken against federal contractors and assistance 
participants, requiring a description of each of these actions. This 
will provide debarring officials with the information they need to 
protect the business interests of the United States. It places the 
burden of proving responsibility and subsequent eligibility for 
contracts or assistance on the person seeking contracts or assistance 
should they have been previously convicted of two exact or similar 
violations that constitutes a charge for debarment. Additionally, it 
improves/clarifies the role of the Interagency Committee on Debarments 
and Suspension and provides for retention by the prosecuting Federal 
agency of fines paid by offender for reimbursement of costs associated 
with suspension and debarment activities.

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