Mike Levin: “If there is a problem of the price not being competitive, then let's adjust it. That is this amendment. That is exactly…”

“If there is a problem of the price not being competitive, then let's adjust it. That is this amendment. That is exactly what this amendment does. There is a problem, and the problem is that even when the price of the prison product is more than the commercial product, that is, noncompetitive, nonetheless, Federal Prison Industries can direct the purchase. So the problem, which was identified with the "if" word by my friend from Texas, is the problem which this amendment addresses. I don't know why any of us need a study on the principle involved here. The principle involved is a pretty direct, simple principle. If the commercial product is cheaper than the prison-made product, then don't stick the taxpayers with the extra cost and don't cause the private business person out of prison the loss of that sale. That is the principle. If that is true 10 percent of the time or 15 percent of the time or 5 percent of the time, it is the same principle. And that is the principle we will be voting on: Whether or not we want to have a study to see how often the principle is violated, or whether or not we want to vote for the principle, and it is the principle which is driving this amendment.”