Congress to Public: Access Denied

As many of you know, POGO has promoted the idea of a contractor misconduct database that would include criminal, civil, and administrative cases so that risky contractors do not receive taxpayer dollars. Since 2002, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) has proposed such a database (H.R. 3033) with the intent that it be publicly available. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) followed that lead when she proposed a similar bill (S. 2904) in the Senate. Unfortunately, other senior Members of Congress have other ideas that would keep the public from seeing a comprehensive list of contractor missteps.

This week, floor amendments to the House Defense Authorization bill (H.R. 5658--responsibility database not included) are expected. A similar floor amendment might be proposed to the Senate Defense Authorization bill (S. 3001--the database is included at Sec. 831, but an amendment might be forthcoming). Both amendments are expected to strip the public access provision.

Now, I can see, at worst, allowing certain information to be stored in a “government only” section of the database. But throwing a blanket of secrecy over the entire database is absurd. A large percentage of the cases included in the proposed responsibility databases are already publicly available in SEC filings and DOJ or agency press releases.

This doesn't sit well with POGO and an eclectic list of 32 other groups that support an open and transparent government. Hopefully, Congress will decide that the public deserves to see scofflaws' rap sheets. The public should have access to a government sponsored comprehensive list of contractors (similar to POGO's Federal Contractor Misconduct Database) that defrauded the government, violated laws and regulations, had poor work performance, or had their contracts terminated for default.

-- Scott Amey

Comments

[Andrew Einhorn]

Please add our organization, OhMyGov!, to your list of supporters for the contractor misconduct database. We completely agree the information should be publicly available and offer our assistance in making sure the bill sees the light of day.

Andrew Einhorn
Editor-in-Chief
OhMyGov!