Big Win for ACEC's Citizen Lobbyists. ACEC and our industry allies prevailed today on a close vote to kill an anti-outsourcing amendment offered by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA). The Senate voted 50-49 to table the Kennedy amendment that aimed to restrict the Department of Defense's ability to contract with private industry.

Over the past month, ACEC has worked tirelessly on Capitol Hill to illustrate the impact the Kennedy amendment would have on the engineering industry. Though the amendment purported to include an exemption for engineering firms, it would not have covered the range of services ACEC members provide including construction and program management and environmental remediation.

We are grateful to Senator John Warner (R-VA) and Senator Craig Thomas (R-WY) who helped lead the fight against the amendment. While the vote was for the most part along party lines, ACEC was pleased to have the support of Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator John Breaux (D-LA). Senators Bond (R-MO), Brownback (R-KS), Allen (R-VA) and Thompson (R-TN) participated in the floor debate.

Senator Bond, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business, said that the Kennedy Amendment was "intended to cripple small business." Senator Thompson focused on the need for guaranteeing the best value when making procurement decisions.

ACEC's grassroots lobbyists were a major factor in this victory -- thank you for your efforts. Our opponents may launch additional efforts in the coming weeks as the appropriations process moves forward in the House and Senate -- we will keep you posted.

Camille Fleenor,
Director, Federal Procurement Policy,
American Council of Engineering Companies
1015 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005 (202) 682-4343