Rob Andrews: “I would like to join the subcommittee chairman in opposition to this amendment. Members who believe in a balanced and…”

“I would like to join the subcommittee chairman in opposition to this amendment. Members who believe in a balanced and fair competition where the taxpayers get the greatest value for the dollar should oppose this amendment and support the underlying bill. The underlying bill, as the chairman said, is a carefully crafted compromise that permits a rational assessment of the cost and benefits of contracting out, and provides for a fair appeal process where whichever side loses that process would have the opportunity to bring its case to another level and have it reexamined. So I think that the bill is neither pro-contracting out nor anti-contracting-out. I think the bill strikes a fair balance, and it says in instances where someone decides a contract should be permitted, it happens; and for instances where it should not be, it does not. I commend the chairman for crafting a fair compromise. I join him in urging defeat of the amendment.”