Trent Lott: “I am pleased to join with him to request the appropriate Federal agencies to determine whether a competitive bidding…”

“I am pleased to join with him to request the appropriate Federal agencies to determine whether a competitive bidding process is appropriate to the Maritime Security Program and, if so, to recommend procedures for Congress to consider. Such a determination and any recommendations should be submitted to us so that we can proceed accordingly for fiscal year 1998 appropriations. In finally deciding on a competitive bidding process, however, we must not undermine the program in the interest of competition. If operators do not have some assurance of stability if they are doing a good job, they will not participate in the program and upgrade their vessels. In that event, we will be throwing our money away.”