Billion-Dollar Lollipops From Uncle Sam
March 15, 2007, 7:20pm
The value of no-bid contracts has soared under the Bush administration, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney wants to put restrictions on the practice.
Maloney, D-N.Y., cited the 2006 “Dollars, Not Sense” report from the House Government Reform Committee Democrats during yesterday’s floor debate on a bill to increase transparency and accountability in federal contracting, among other things.
“These are contracts that only one person gets,” she said. “It’s as if I handed you a lollipop. It is giving someone billions and billions of dollars, and I believe there are many talented businesses, many talented individuals in this country that should deserve the right to compete for these contracts.”
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said the Bush administration repeatedly makes the same contracting mistakes. “We need reform in this area. … We’ve got to keep people honest,” he said. “And I’m shocked when I hear conservatives say they care about taxpayers’ dollars and then don’t want competition.”
The House passed the measure 347-73. It was part of a package of bills aimed at opening government. The Politico has a video report on the complete package:
Categories: New York, Producer's Picks, Government Reform, Carolyn Maloney
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