Charles Taylor: “I want to say at the outset we do not oppose competitive sourcing. I also want to say that this is not a limiting…”

“I want to say at the outset we do not oppose competitive sourcing. I also want to say that this is not a limiting amendment. Section 335 provides that all studies that are currently ongoing for fiscal years 2002 and 2003 shall be completed and the results of those studies should be reviewed before new studies are initiated. The language makes no judgment on what the outcome of those studies should be, and it merely is an attempt to ensure appropriate congressional oversight of this important initiative. The Interior Committee on Appropriations is no stranger to competitive sourcing. In 1996, the committee required the United States geographical survey to contract out 60 percent of its map and digital data activities. In 1999, the committee required the outsourcing of 90 percent of the National Park Service's consultant operations. So we are certainly no stranger in outsourcing, and we do not oppose that at all.”