Ernest Istook: “Mr. Speaker, we had some interesting discussion about, well, why have we not gone to this system of saying let us reward…”

“Mr. Speaker, we had some interesting discussion about, well, why have we not gone to this system of saying let us reward people based upon their performance. Let us target, let us target funds, as the President wants to do. And the gentleman asked, well, why was it not done in the appropriations bill last year? That program has not been created. There is no program to fund. We could not put it in the subcommittee mark. The gentleman from Virginia chairs the committee that has the ability to bring the legislation to the floor, to promote what the President wants to do. Let us not undercut. If the gentleman agrees it is a good idea, I agree it is a good idea, if the gentleman from Virginia (Mr.Tom Davis) agrees it is a good idea, and certainly the White House promotes it, then instead of doing this one-size-fits-all across the board, why do we not support the President's proposal and bring that Human Capital Performance Fund, that is what he calls it, why do we not bring that legislation to the floor? But, for goodness sakes, do not pass this resolution soaking up the resources that would have to go to pay for performance. The ball is in the court of the committee of the gentleman from Virginia.”