Maxine Waters: “I rise in support of H.R. 2965, the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2005. I thank my…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 2965, the Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2005. I thank my colleagues in the Committee on the Judiciary for their overwhelming support of the ``sense of Congress'' language I offered during Full Committee markup that would clarify the work-based program newly established in Section 17 of this legislation. As previously drafted, the ``heart'' of the wage provision of the work-based program was only an alternative to a scenario where the Secretary of Labor--at her discretion--would promulgate an inmate training wage. If the Secretary fails to do so within 180 days, she would be able to prescribe an interim training wage that is no less than 50% of the prevailing federal minimum wage--a provision that, in and of itself, is conditional. I was elected to Congress in 1991, and I have continually stressed the importance of providing individuals, who have paid their debt to society, a realistic opportunity to transition from federal prison back into the community. The truth is that the current system, sets them up for failure.…”