[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 97 (Friday, June 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1315-E1316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008

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                               speech of

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 14, 2007

  Mr. HARE. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to the amendment 
offered by the Gentleman from Kentucky that would strip critical Davis-
Bacon protections from H.R. 2638, the fiscal year 2008 Department of 
Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
  The goal of the Davis-Bacon Act is to protect local construction wage 
standards by preventing contractors from bidding for federally

[[Page E1316]]

funded contracts on the basis of wages lower than those prevailing in 
the area.
  Davis-Bacon applies to procurement of construction services by 
Federal agencies; however, it does not automatically apply to 
construction projects financed in whole or in part by federal grants 
and other forms of federal financial assistance to states and 
localities.
  Section 536 has therefore been included in H.R. 2638 in order to 
assure the consistent application of Davis-Bacon prevailing wage 
standards to construction projects funded with federal assistance.
  Contrary to arguments we have heard this morning, numerous recent 
academic studies demonstrate that the application of Davis-Bacon 
prevailing wage standards to construction projects does not 
substantially increase the cost of public works projects.
  Additionally, claims that the application of Davis-Bacon prevailing 
wage standards to recipients of DHS grants violates states' rights 
raise a legal argument that was resolved 70 years ago when the Supreme 
Court held that federal statutes which offer financial assistance 
subject to acceptance of federal standards do not invade state 
sovereignty. The statute simply extends the right for states and 
localities to accept or reject the opportunity to obtain DHS grants and 
other federal financial assistance to help meet security and recovery 
needs.
  By guaranteeing payment of the prevailing local wage rate, Davis-
Bacon provides a better standard of living and economic security for 
workers, particularly in rural communities and small towns like those 
in my Congressional district. It is crucial that these protections 
remain in H.R. 2638. Accordingly, I urge my colleagues to reject the 
Rogers Amendment.

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