On the recordDecember 8, 2010
Mr. President, H.R. 2142, as amended, will modernize and refine key aspects of the Government Performance and Results Act, or GPRA, while keeping the statutory foundation established by the act in place. I was pleased to join Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Voinovich in cosponsoring the substitute amendment Mr. Carper offered at the September 29, 2010, business meeting held by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, and I strongly support the bill. I would, however, like to take this opportunity to clarify the intent of the legislation on a matter of great importance. Concerns have been raised that this legislation will prohibit Federal agencies from being assisted by non-Federal parties when preparing GPRA reports. It is my understanding that, in reporting favorably H.R. 2142, as amended, the committee chose not to change the language in GPRA that made the preparation of agency strategic plans, annual performance plans, or annual program performance reports an inherently governmental function. May I ask the Senator from Delaware, as the primary sponsor of the substitute amendment to H.R. 2142, to clarify the intent of the provisions contained in H.R. 2142, as amended, which address the issue of inherently governmental functions?





