Grace Napolitano: “I certainly want to thank my colleague, Mr. Gibbs, for introducing this very important amendment. I do strongly support…”

“I certainly want to thank my colleague, Mr. Gibbs, for introducing this very important amendment. I do strongly support this amendment that requests a DOT study regarding the federally funded materials used by the States for culvert and stormwater pipes. This issue was brought to my attention in my area in Los Angeles by companies that were being forced out of competition for federally funded transportation projects. The States were having a little problem and were the local governments that sole-sourced materials. State and local governments should be allowed to have open and fair competition on the best products available for use in these sewer and culvert systems. Mr. Gibbs' amendment, which I am happy to cosponsor, requires the Department again to study and report to Congress on these materials in order to ensure that taxpayer funds are being spent in a most cost- effective and efficient way. I am very grateful to my colleague. I thank him for allowing me to co-offer this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support it.”