"Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Pascrell/LoBiondo/Menendez amendment, which would protect New Jersey's ability to combat the influence money plays in the contracting process and to reaffirm states rights.

"The buzzword in our state these days is 'pay-to-play.' Pay-to-play means that people get contracts by giving large campaign contributions to politicians. Pay-to-play wastes tax dollars by awarding contracts to influential donors rather than the lowest, most efficient bidder

"Shortly before his resignation, former Governor Jim McGreevey issued an executive order banning pay-to-play, and his successor, Governor Codey, has worked with the legislature to make the ban a permanent law. This would be a vital step towards cleaning up the influence money plays in the contracting process in New Jersey.

"But the rigid contracting rules of the federal government are putting a serious crimp on our state's attempts to foster good government. The Federal Highway Administration requires that all contracts go to the lowest bidder, and they have said that the pay-to-play ban could violate that rule. This is patently absurd. The federal government is blocking a state's ability to combat political influence -- potentially withholding $1 billion in transportation funding that is critical to our nation's most densely populated state.

"Before you think that the New Jersey delegation is trying to tack a parochial issue on to the highway bill, look to your own state. The Highway Administration's rules could potentially block a similar effort pending in Connecticut, and could affect existing anti-corruption laws in Kentucky, South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia.

"Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the rule and support the Pascrell/ LoBiondo/ Menendez amendment. Join us to preserve states' rights and stand up for good government."