Quigley Statement on Passage of Overseas Contractor Reform Act

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) issued the following statement after the passage of H.R. 5366, the Overseas Contractor Reform Act, which calls for increased scrutiny of federal overseas contractors and swifter penalties for those that violate corruption regulations:

"At a time of limited resources, it is vital that all of our foreign contracts be held to the strictest scrutiny and utmost accountability. Our taxpayers deserve it and our national security requires it. We must track and evaluate each and every one of these contracts to ensure that they are carried out efficiently and safely. H.R. 5366, the Overseas Contractor Reform Act, which bans contractors convicted of bribing foreign officials from receiving contracts, is a step in the right direction; but we must go further--both globally and domestically. I introduced the Federal Contracting Oversight and Reform Act, H.R. 5726, to do exactly that. I urge its passage in our efforts to repair an ineffective contracting system that allows millions of taxpayer dollars to go to companies with histories of poor performance and misconduct.

Quigley introduced the Federal Contracting Oversight and Reform Act, H.R. 5726 in July, which woul"d create a database for all federal contractors and provide new ways to track them. It also calls for a new contractor identification system to help stop suspended and debarred companies from creating shell companies to bid on contracts.