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Committee Favorably Reports Hoekstra’s FPI Reform Legislation
Bill Moves to Full House where in 2003 it Passed 350-65
Washington,
Jul 12, 2006 -
The House Committee on the Judiciary today favorably reported legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, that would reform the status of Federal Prison Industries (FPI) as a mandatory source for federal government contracting opportunities.
It passed by an overwhelmingly bipartisan voice vote.
“The long and continuous effort to level the playing field between FPI and private sector employers has again moved forward,” Hoekstra said. “Fundamental reform will simply provide law-abiding workers and the firms that employ them with the opportunity to compete for federal contracts funded by their own tax dollars.”
The Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2006 (H.R. 2965) now moves to the full House of Representatives for consideration. The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 350 to 65 in 2003, but the full Senate failed to consider it after passing it through committee.
It importantly continues to include the alternative work and rehabilitative opportunities that are just as valuable in combating idleness and contributing to institution safety as prison labor. The Department of Justice’s own studies demonstrate that such programs are more effective in reducing recidivism.
“FPI’s mandatory source status enables it to simply take funds appropriated to its captive federal agency customers, whether for national defense, aviation or the administration of Medicare,” Hoekstra said. “It is more likely than not that the federal agencies are not receiving the best product in the timeliest manner or at the best price in the noncompetitive environment in which it operates today.”
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