In conclusion, I have tried to point to some of the principles that we would all want to draw on. We do not believe that the proposed revisions to S. 314 and H.R. 716 will achieve the quality improvement or cost reduction goals that I know you are seeking. In our view, we should not treat competition as a variable independent from our other reinvention and management improvement efforts. Proposed legislation that would establish a new model of Federal management, must not be so general as to be meaningless to Federal managers or so specific as to be inflexible and result in additional administrative burdens and delays. That will be a very difficult thing for legislation to achieve in this area.
Federal employees are some of our nation's most highly trained and dedicated employees.
They operate within a complex system of rules, regulations and laws. They respond to a vast array of missions, public concerns and operational requirements. They deserve, as does the private sector, the opportunity to compete for their jobs on a fair and level playing field. We do not believe that this legislation meets that requirement and we are concerned that the proposed revisions could result in higher costs for the taxpayer. Chairman Brownback, Chairman Horn that concludes my prepared statement.