Press Releases

Today, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued this statement following President Trump’s Executive Order instructing the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to rewrite the Federal Acquisitions Regulations:

“If the Trump Administration is serious about reforming the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) to increase both competition and efficiency, it must engage the public and stakeholders in a meaningful and transparent way. Taking orders from Trump Administration agency procurement officials, as this Executive Order suggests, is insufficient and opens the door to backroom dealing. To achieve real, effective reform, the process must include formal rulemaking and public comment periods, giving all affected communities and stakeholders the opportunity to provide valuable input. Without this input, the Administration’s approach could stifle innovation, limit small business participation in federal procurement, reduce contracting with minority-owned businesses, and ultimately reduce competition and efficiency. A focus driven primarily by timelines and the President’s desire to cut regulations based on arbitrary metrics reflects a flawed process driven by appearances rather than thoughtful outcomes.”