Mike Thompson: “this amendment addresses a certain provision in the Postal-Treasury appropriations bill at section 642. It is a section…”

“this amendment addresses a certain provision in the Postal-Treasury appropriations bill at section 642. It is a section that deals with procurement policies. It is a section that deals with a problem of goods that are produced by child labor--a problem about which we are all sensitive. I do think that this provision should not be in this bill. I offer this amendment to amend the provision, leaving in the portion that addresses the child labor issue, but taking out certain portions that I believe are clearly unconstitutional and unneeded. In the first place, Mr. President, this is an area of some complexity--the procurement laws and regulations of this country. It is an area that is within the jurisdiction of the Governmental Affairs Committee, of which I am chairman. Our committee has spent a good deal of time dealing with this issue. We have passed legislation over the last two Congresses that deal with our procurement policies in this country. We have passed the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994--this is a provision that Senator Glenn sponsored--and we passed the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996--all dealing, at least in part, with the problem of Government procurement, and procurement practices and policies. I think, as most people who deal with this realize, it is certainly a balancing act. There are considerations that have to be given to the contractors. There are considerations certainly that have to be given to the Government--what is fair.…”