Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2008

FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE GUARD CONTRACTING REFORM ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 27, 2008)

Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume.

H.R. 3068 was introduced by Subcommittee Chairwoman Norton last year, and prohibits the Federal Protective Service from awarding contracts to businesses owned, controlled or operated by convicted felons. Specifically, the bill would direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to promulgate regulations to implement this prohibition.

The Federal Protective Service, FPS, has a critical mission. FPS serves as one of the first lines of defense for our Federal buildings. It employs more than 1,000 trained personnel, and 15,000 contract security guards. It is charged with securing nearly 9,000 federally owned and leased buildings.

This legislation will help improve security at those buildings and facilities and increase the standards of safety for Federal properties across the country. H.R. 3068 passed the House last year and was amended in the Senate. The Senate amendment provides additional direction to the Secretary of Homeland Security on key issues that the regulations should include. The Senate amendment also directs the administrator for Federal procurement policy to issue a report to Congress on establishing similar guidelines government-wide.

This legislation is important to ensure the integrity of the forces protecting our Federal buildings and the employees and visitors that work in and visit those buildings every day. I support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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