Nydia M. Velazquez: “today we are voting on an $87 billion spending bill that is solely funded by American taxpayers and with nothing in this…”

“today we are voting on an $87 billion spending bill that is solely funded by American taxpayers and with nothing in this legislation to ensure that U.S. small businesses have an opportunity to compete for the rebuild contracts. This funding will once again be funneled to large corporations. The amendment I am offering today on behalf of myself and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) will give small businesses a chance. It will require that all large companies submit a subcontracting plan prior to being awarded an Iraq reconstruction contract. We have already spent $79 billion on war efforts in Iraq. And with this $87 billion funding request, President Bush is once again abandoning the Federal Government's longstanding commitment to ensure small businesses can compete in the Federal marketplace. The administration has awarded billions of dollars in mega contracts to a handful of well-connected U.S. corporations. These contracts were not open to fair competition. They were doled out in secret backroom negotiations. Bechtel alone received a $680 million construction contract. Halliburton received a $1 billion logistical support contract, and recently received a noncompetitive contract to rebuild Iraq's oil infrastructure worth up to $7 billion. These companies have very close ties to the White House. And these secret closed-door deals further damage our international credibility and endanger our rebuilding efforts.”