Kevin Brady: “I rise in support of H.R. 1401 and congratulate the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the ranking member…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1401 and congratulate the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Spence) and the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Skelton) for their leadership on this issue. There is one provision, though, that troubles me, and I respectfully raise it today. Section 113 concerns the U.S. Army's family of medium tactical vehicles. They are trucks for the army. Specifically, this section, 113, allows the U.S. Army to ignore the will of Congress, to drop a proven volume discount for producing the trucks and pursue a second source contract award without proving any economic savings to the government. Well, that does not make sense. Congress made it clear last year, in law, that we wanted justification from the Army. Now, they did a report to justify it, but they will not release it. Now, what does that tell us? We should not change the law to allow the Army to go forward on this because it is bad for the taxpayers and it is going to be proven to be very ill-advised. It is my sincere hope, Mr. Chairman, that the distinguished chairman and the ranking member and the Members to be named on the conference committee will provide the best trucks for the Army at the best price to the taxpayers.”