Manzullo Votes to Create Jobs for Law-Abiding Americans

Sign Up For Email Press Releases
Printer Friendly Version

(WASHINGTON) House Small Business Committee Chairman Don Manzullo (R-IL) voted today for legislation to reform a federal prison labor program that takes jobs away from law-abiding Americans.

The Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act (HR 2695), which passed the House 362 to 57, requires FPI to compete with private sector firms for federal contracts. FPI employs inexpensive prison labor to assemble products that must be purchased by federal agencies, including furniture, clothing and textiles and fleet management and vehicular components.

Manzullo, an original co-sponsor of the legislation, has held several Small Business Committee hearings on the FPI program because it often shuts small businesses out of federal contracts.

“The jobs of law-abiding citizens – the forgotten Americans who get up every day, dress their kids for school, and set off for a long hard day of work -- should not be sacrificed for convicted felons,” Manzullo said. “The unintended and indirect message from FPI to working Americans is that if you want a job, commit a crime.  That’s not the American way!”

HR 2695 offers a better way to train prisoners for real jobs in the outside world rather than allowing them to unfairly compete against small businesses for the precious few contracts with the federal government.  It will also allow FPI to manufacture products that are no longer made in America and to perform work in support of non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity.

“This legislation simply requires FPI to compete like every other business for contracts with the federal government,” Manzullo said. “FPI already has many advantages, including a captive below minimum wage work force and no health care, worker’s compensation or other benefits to fund.  Even with these advantages, small businesses still believe they can beat FPI because various government agencies have long complained about the quality and timeliness of delivery of products from FPI.”

(END)