Martin Sabo: “Mr. Chairman, over 65 years ago, Davis-Bacon passed the Congress, named after a Republican Member of the House and a…”

“Mr. Chairman, over 65 years ago, Davis-Bacon passed the Congress, named after a Republican Member of the House and a Republican Secretary of Labor. It has served good public policy for 65 years. Some want to change it. I would simply say to those who want to change it, go through the committees, bring it to the floor and let us debate it on its merits. We cannot do that in 10 minutes today. What does this bill do? It suspends Davis-Bacon in the District of Columbia on certain construction contracts subject to the desire of the contracting officer. Let me say that again. We are going to change 65 years of public policy in this country subject to the desires and whims of a contracting officer in the District of Columbia; not any elected body, not even the control board, but a contracting officer. What a horrendous way to run this place. This provision does not belong in this bill. Let us take it out.”