George Voinovich: “I thank the Chair. First, I share the concerns of the Senator from Maryland about this problem, and I want to do…”

“I thank the Chair. First, I share the concerns of the Senator from Maryland about this problem, and I want to do everything in my power as chairman of the subcommittee on Government oversight and work toward dealing with the solution to the problem that is being presented. According to the best information I have, this amendment would circumvent the administration's prerogative in the executive branch by prohibiting the administration from managing the Federal Government's competitive sourcing process. It would repeal initiatives passed on a bipartisan basis over the past 10 years, including the Government Performance Act. The amendment would prohibit agencies from developing and implementing strategic plans allowing Federal employees to focus on high-priority activities, and it would prevent agencies from increasing efficiencies, lowering costs, implementing innovation and technology, and it would prevent agencies to meet their agency missions. Additionally, the President has said that if this provision were in the Treasury-Postal appropriations, he would veto the bill. We tried to work out a compromise based on some of these concerns that he had. We thought that it met the concerns of the Senator from Maryland. Unfortunately, it did not. I urge that we vote no on her amendment and yes on the amendment we are proposing today--understanding this will not solve the problem and that we will need to deal with it throughout the remainder of the year.”