Cord Byrd: “I oppose section 821 of the Fiscal Year 2002 Defense authorization bill because I fear that this section would undermine…”

“I oppose section 821 of the Fiscal Year 2002 Defense authorization bill because I fear that this section would undermine what has proved to be a successful program in helping to manage Federal prisoners. Section 821 would effectively eliminate the mandatory source requirement for the Department of Defense, which ensures that Federal prisoners are employed in sufficient numbers, and thus is fundamental to the security of our Federal prisons. Moreover, since this section would significantly affect our Federal prisons, it is an issue that the Senate Judiciary Committee should first consider before the Senate takes action on it after only 2 hours of debate. I support competition for the provision of goods and services to the Federal Government. However, this competition should not be sought at the expense of a successful prisoner management program, and that program should certainly not be repealed without some alternative program to replace it.”