Carol Shea-Porter: “I want to thank Chairman Skelton and everyone who has worked on the IMPROVE Acquisition Act. This bill cleans up defense…”

“I want to thank Chairman Skelton and everyone who has worked on the IMPROVE Acquisition Act. This bill cleans up defense acquisitions spending, saving taxpayers an estimated $27 billion a year and expediting the process to get necessary equipment to our troops. Accountability in the contracting process is critical to protect taxpayer dollars. According to a Government Accountability Office report, 63,000 Federal contractors had total tax debts of $7.7 billion in 2007. These contractors profit through taxpayer dollars but refuse to pay their own taxes. That is why I am pleased that section 403 of this bill, based on my colleague Mr. Ellsworth's Contracting and Tax Accountability Act, requires contractors to disclose seriously delinquent tax debt. The bill also includes my amendment to hold the first-tier subcontractors accountable by adding a certification requirement to ensure they, too, do not have unpaid taxes. Those who have incurred a significant tax debt and have avoided paying it should not be eligible for defense contracts. There is no reason for the government to pay money through a contract to those who owe money to the government in taxes.”