Recent Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Senator John Thune today reintroduced the Freedom from Government Competition Act (S.785), which would require federal agencies to rely on the private sector when providing goods and services that are readily available.

"With our nation's debt well over $14 trillion and our national unemployment hovering near nine percent, it is important now more than ever that the federal government's policies not only save tax dollars but also foster job creation in the private sector," said Thune. "My bill would ensure that taxpayer dollars would not be used by the federal government to unfairly compete with private sector businesses."

The Freedom from Government Competition Act would codify the "Yellow Pages" test, which states that if the federal government is doing something that can be found in the Yellow Pages, the product or service should be subject to market competition to ensure better value for the taxpayer. Studies have shown that taxpayer savings as a result of competition are estimated to be as much as $27 billion annually.

Thune's legislation does not mandate the privatization of any federal service and would protect those activities which are inherently governmental, such as certain national defense and homeland security functions, prosecutions, foreign policy, and activities to bind the United States to take or not to take some action by contract, policy, regulation, authorization, or order.

Original cosponsors of Thune's legislation include Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).