Political Quotes

“my Amendment No. 2415 would inject a dose of accountability and responsibility into America's efforts to rebuild the gulf coast and Iraq. It will bar from all reconstruction efforts, both at home and in Iraq, all firms found--over the last 5 years--to have overcharged or improperly billed the government by more than $10 million on one or more occasions. It will also bar from all reconstruction efforts--both at home and in Iraq--all firms that have overcharged or defrauded the Government of more than $10 million over the last 5 years. It will also bar from all reconstruction efforts--both at home and in Iraq--all firms that have been suspended or debarred from competing for federal contracts. It includes a national security waiver for those instances where dealing with such firms may serve the national interest. These are serious penalties, but in both Iraq and on the gulf coast we face serious challenges, and we should not do anything less than our very best to face those challenges. We cannot move forward on the gulf coast without looking at the administration's weak oversight of funds in Iraq. The amendment I offer today seeks to do that by assuring the American people that the Government will spend gulf coast reconstruction funds wisely. The bill we are debating is ultimately about saving taxpayer dollars. Why not start by weeding out companies that have overcharged the taxpayer in the past?…”