Cass Ballenger: “the Davis-Bacon Act has long outlived any usefulness that it may have had. The rationale for the act has never been very…”

“the Davis-Bacon Act has long outlived any usefulness that it may have had. The rationale for the act has never been very persuasive, but it remains law, adding millions to Federal construction costs. Last night, NBC news highlighted the Davis-Bacon Act as part of their series entitled ``The Fleecing of America.'' NBC reported on an Oklahoma investigation that has uncovered fraud and abuse in the administration of the Federal Davis-Bacon Act. In three specific cases, the Oklahoma Department of Labor found instances where survey data on phantom projects was submitted and ghost employees were identified, presumably with the intent of inflating prevailing wage determinations. Basing the wages on inflated and perhaps fraudulent data would drive up costs of Government construction projects, wasting limited taxpayer dollars. Scandals of this nature only further erode public confidence in the Government procurement process. This type of fraud and abuse must be stopped. Join me and the 119 cosponsors of H.R. 500, in supporting repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act.”