The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ENDING NO-BID CONTRACTS IN THE FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2984-H2985 on March 5, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ENDING NO-BID CONTRACTS IN THE FEDERAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS
(Mr. FLAKE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)
Mr. FLAKE. Mr. Speaker, President Obama announced an initiative yesterday to fix the Federal procurement process. He wants to make sure that there are no more no-bid contracts.
Now, this is a welcome move. But if the President really wants to get serious about ending no-bid contracts, he should veto the omnibus spending bill we are just about to send him. It contains thousands of no-bid contracts for private companies. If the President can't see fit to veto the omnibus, he should at a minimum commit to veto future legislation that contains no-bid contracts.
Again, a congressional earmark for a private company is nothing more than a no-bid contract. What is worse, many of these congressionally directed no-bid contracts go to companies whose executives and their lobbyists turn around and make campaign contributions to those who secured the earmark or no-bid contract.
This morning we will be voting on a privileged resolution to investigate earmarks and campaign contributions related to the PMA Group, an organization being investigated right now by the Department of Justice. I urge my colleagues to support this nonpartisan resolution.
____________________
