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From the Desk of
Representative Byron Donalds

National Security Should Be Bipartisan

by Congressman Byron Donalds

th
n Monday, January 29 , the U.S. I first proposed the Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act on
House of Representatives passed September 18th and per House procedure, the bill was referred to
Omy bill, H.R. 5528 – The Safe committee. In the House Oversight and Accountability Committee,
and Smart Federal Purchasing Act, with a members on both sides of the aisle assessed the legislation and the
unanimous and bipartisan vote of 397-0. bill was brought up for a vote at the committee’s mark-up session
As a member of the House Oversight on September 20th. In a mark-up session, members’ proposals are
and Accountability Committee, ensuring presented in detail to the full committee. Members of the committee
proper governance and efficiency in federal may either amend the proposal, vote to accept the proposal, or vote to
operations are paramount concerns of reject the proposal. If the proposal is accepted by a majority vote of the
mine. Federal procurement processes—although often overlooked— committee’s membership, the proposal will advance to the floor of the
are critical to the operation of our government and necessitate House of Representatives. The Safe and Smart Federal Purchasing Act
comprehensive assessment. Simply put, affordability considerations received a unanimous vote of 43-0 in committee and advanced to the
and associated national security risks of procurement procedures must floor of the House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support.
be thoroughly evaluated. This bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and
This bill specifically empowers the Director of the White House Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and was also strongly supported by
Office of Management and Budget to evaluate the procurement Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) of the House Oversight
activities of each federal agency to determine whether the “Lowest and Accountability Committee. Raskin stated, “since our committee
Price Technically Acceptable” (LPTA) federal procurement standard reported this bill last September, I appreciate that Mr. Donalds and the
has created any national security risks. This source selection process, Majority sought and incorporated feedback from the administration
also known as Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.101-2, and earned bipartisan support from Mr. Connolly–a long-time expert
states that federal contracts must be awarded to vendors that meet in federal operations. With these updates I am happy to lend my full
the technical requirements of the stated need at the lowest price support to this legislation.”
available. In summary, the lowest price available for a federal contract National security should be bipartisan. The Safe and Smart Federal
is prioritized above all other considerations. Purchasing Act is my 13th piece of legislation that has passed the U.S.
No later than 180 days (six months) after enactment of this House of Representatives during the 118th Congress and I am proud
legislation, the Director of the White House Office of Management to receive the unanimous support of my colleagues on this proposal.
and Budget must submit a report on the results of this evaluation. The I look forward to the introduction and successful passage of this
report will then be sent to the House Oversight and Accountability commonsense and solutions-focused bill in the U.S. Senate, and its
Committee and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental subsequent presentation to President Biden for final signature.
Affairs Committee for further consideration and deliberation.

CONTACT MY OFFICE

Collier County Office Washington, DC Office
3299 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 105, Naples, FL 34112 1719 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515
Phone: 239.252.6225 Phone: 202.225.2536

14 Life in Naples | March 2024