Federal Protective Service Guard Contracting Reform Act of 2007
Floor Speech
FEDERAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE GUARD CONTRACTING REFORM ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - October 02, 2007)
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Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3068, introduced by Subcommittee Chairwoman Norton, adds an additional level of security to our Federal buildings by prohibiting the Federal Protective Services from awarding contracts to convicted felons.
I would like to commend Chairwoman Norton for her commitment to the security of Federal buildings, government employees and visitors. She probably has more than anybody else in the House.
The protection of the employees and visitors at Federal buildings remains a high priority. This legislation will increase the standards of safety and security for Federal properties across this country.
The Federal Protective Service serves as one of the first lines of defense for our Federal buildings. We entrust the security of Federal courthouses and buildings and their employees and visitors to FPS personnel. From day-to-day security screening, to protection from riots and terrorist attacks, the FPS force plays a vital role in facilitating the work of the Federal Government.
The Federal Protective Service employs more than 1,000 trained employees and more than 15,000 contract security guards. H.R. 3068 prohibits FPS from contracting with security firms that are owned or operated by convicted felons. It's a very simple measure. The security of Federal buildings must be managed by those that have the best interests of the American people in mind.
This legislation will ensure the integrity of the forces protecting our Federal buildings, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3068.
Mr. Speaker, I think this is a fantastic idea, and again, I want to applaud Chairwoman Norton for the work that she's done on this, again, to push it through.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
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