James Lankford

Rebuilding the wheel is not important. If we can take Web sites, we can take certifications and adapt them, that is much preferred.

But that is the accountability on the other side. And what I am asking is, how do we get that?

I am glad to do it firm fixed price, but it is going to cost more, because I don't know what the risk is involved.

We will probably do several rounds of questions back and forth, so this will be an ongoing conversation.

I have multiple contractors that I have spoken to around the central Oklahoma area that have said the same thing to me.

I would hate to see us 10 years from now go through a cut and go through the same cycle again.

Let the record reflect the witness answered in the affirmative.

Our solemn responsibility is to hold Government accountable to taxpayers.

Americans have the right to know the money Washington takes from them is well spent.

The Oversight and Government Reform Committee exists to secure two fundamental principles.

It is a struggle when we hear so many stories that we have a zero tolerance policy, yet these stories continue to rise up still.

The effective communication part of that, obviously, that becomes a big issue.

Because that is where, obviously, this begins.

So that is not only just, obviously, your requirement, that is if you are going to be on that base especially, that is their requirement as well.

The reason I say that is I have talked to some military personnel coming back as well and saying that is a standard.

Are any of you ready to go on record right now and to say there is no one in State Department or in DOD, that says there is currently no one that is being trafficked right now?

We have tremendous honor and respect for the work that is done by DOD and the State Department.

I am just stunned at this testimony, I mean, stunned, that in the name of the American people these practices have been allowed...

This violates everything in the American value; that we value the individual person.

A zero tolerance policy is not working. Failing to prosecute is not working. Cure letters are not working.

We have to move passed they have their passport; they could leave if they want to.

So if we have the right regulations in place, we have a zero tolerance policy, we have the options in the toolbox, suspension and debarment, what is holding us back to actually enforcing this on contractors and subcontractors so we can…

I appreciate your being calm and deliberative in explaining what your goal is.

If we're going to make a major decision that is going affect billions of dollars and it's going to affect future planning, we better make it right.

This is a national issue on all that is happening