On the recordMay 17, 2012
To conclude, again, there is a myth that somehow President Obama's executive order has swept through all the Federal agencies, and PLAs are now a mandated requirement. The fact of the matter is that is not the way the executive order reads. The Department of Defense has, in fact, granted only one PLA since President Obama's executive order was issued in January of 2009. As Mr. Lynch said, that executive order exempts projects $25 million or less. I would be happy to invite Members to my district to a military base where there has not been one PLA contract; although, we've done a number of projects on our Navy base. So the fact is that the option exists today. This amendment would remove that option to the Department of Defense, which, again, has obviously exercised it very judiciously because they've only done one PLA since January of 2009. Again, I urge Members to reject this amendment which handcuffs the Department of Defense to set up prehiring agreements that can help veterans, the local workforce, and apprenticeship programs for young Americans who want to get an opportunity to learn a building trade. I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Bartlett). The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the ayes appeared to have it.
