Anna Eshoo: “it puzzles me why the Republicans are determined to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act. After all, this law has its origins in…”

“it puzzles me why the Republicans are determined to repeal the Davis-Bacon Act. After all, this law has its origins in State initiatives, was written by two Republicans, and has been declared successful by a leading Republican economist. If this isn't a winning combination as the majority defines it, then what is? Despite current GOP claims to the contrary, the Davis-Bacon Act is based on years of State experience with prevailing-wage standards prior to its passage by Congress. Back in 1891, Kansas adopted the country's first prevailing-wage statute, and at least six other States had passed similar legislation before the first prevailing-wage law was introduced in Washington. By the late 1920's, Republicans in Congress were extremely concerned about increasing incidents of cutthroat Federal bidding by fly-by-night contractors using low-wage labor. With shoddy construction threatening massive Federal building programs, Representative Robert Bacon--a New York Republican--introduced the forerunner of the Davis-Bacon law. With the help of Senator James Davis--a Republican from Pennsylvania and former Labor Secretary under three Republican Presidents--the Davis-Bacon Act was eventually passed and signed into law by President Hoover in 1931. Since that time, the Davis-Bacon Act has proven to be a remarkable success for local communities, minorities, and American taxpayers.”