On Tuesday, September 10, 2013, the House will consider H.R. 2747, the Streamlining Claims Processing for Federal Contractor Employees Act, under a suspension of the rules.  The bill was introduced on July 19, 2013 by Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

H.R. 2747 transfers the authority from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the Department of Labor for processing claims for wages due to laborers and mechanics hired by contractors on public works projects.  

The bill is intended to increase efficiency in federal construction contracting.  For almost a century, contractors have been required to pay workers according to the locally prevailing wage, as well as to give their employees one-and-a-half times their basic pay rate for overtime hours.  Currently, the GAO is responsible for processing claims of workers who have not been paid appropriately.   However, it is purely administrative and the GAO has no authority to make a determination of merit on any claim.  H.R. 2747 transfers this authority to the Department of Labor and will reduce bureaucracies, redundancies, and ensure timely compensation.

Identical legislation (H.R. 6371) passed the House in the 112th Congress by a vote of 361-3. 

According to the CBO, this legislation will not affect direct spending or revenues.

For questions or further information contact the GOP Conference at 5-5107.