Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, the Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, issued the following statement after the House voted favorably 219 to 205 last night to pass S. 3905, the Preventing Organizational Conflicts of Interest in Federal Acquisition Act

“Protecting the interests of the federal government, and by extension the American people, is an essential part of our responsibility in Congress.  Strengthening government contracting laws on conflicts of interest will ensure that government contractors are not allowed to advise the government at the same time they are advising industry.  It is critical that we can trust that federal contractors are providing the government with expert and impartial advice.”

In April, Chairwoman Maloney introduced a companion bill—H.R. 7602—following the Oversight Committee’s investigation into McKinsey & Company which highlighted the need to strengthen government contracting laws on conflicts of interest.  S. 3905 passed the Senate this summer with unanimous consent.

In her floor statement, Chairwoman Maloney highlighted the importance of updating rules on organizational conflicts of interest to protect American consumers.  The Chairwoman also emphasized the need for uniform rules on organizational conflicts of interest across the government, which will benefit contractors by creating clarity and consistency in the procedures to comply with government contracting rules:

 “It is outrageous that a contractor would be allowed to advise government regulators at the same time they are advising the industry that is being regulated.  If we do not take steps to prevent conflicts of interest and thereby safeguard the integrity of government decision-making and operations, then we risk potentially serious breaches in the public trust.”

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