Senate/House Bill Seeks to Level Gov Contracting Playing Field
The Senate/House have a companion bill that seeks to even the playing field when it comes to government contracting. S. 90 and H.R. 983, the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act, introduced by Senator Vitter (R-LA) and Rep. Sullivan (R-OK). AWF sent the following letters to all Senators and Congressmen urging them to co-sponsor this important piece of legislation (the below preview is the House letter).
[Click here for the House letter PDF]
[Click here for the Senate letter PDF]
16 September 2009
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the Alliance for Worker Freedom (AWF), an organization established in 2003 to combat anti-worker legislation and promote free and open labor markets, I invite you to cosponsor Representative John Sullivan’s (R-OK) Government Neutrality in Contracting Act, H.R. 983.
Representative Sullivan’s proposal will ensure open competition on Federal and federally funded or assisted construction projects. The Government Neutrality in Contracting Act seeks to remedy existing union biases.
Quite simply, H.R. 983 will create an even playing field for all companies, regardless of labor affiliation, to compete for government contracts. Contracts should be awarded to companies based on the services they provide, not their political clout.
Apart from needlessly wasting money, contracting to less efficient companies only cripples them in the end. Companies receiving subsidies, in the form of government contracts, have no incentive to improve practices and often fall behind companies that face competition daily. Once government contracts dry up, formerly subsidized, less developed companies face tremendous hardship and may even go under.
When non-union construction companies are allowed to compete with unions fairly, price tags on federal projects will fall. It will no longer be possible for unions to price gouge the federal government using lavish project labor agreements. More companies in the marketplace will expedite gains in quality and efficiency. H.R. 983 drives down prices by guaranteeing reasonable contracts and hastening innovative practices.
I hope you will join Representative Sullivan and cosponsor the Government Neutrality in Contracting Act. Your support will help save taxpayers millions. For more information, or if you would like to be added as a cosponsor to this bill, please contact Patrick Large in Rep. Sullivan’s office at Patrick.Large@mail.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Brian M. Johnson, MPA
Executive Director
cc: All Members of House
Patrick Large
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