Eric Burlison

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joe Cooper of Springfield, better known to a lot of folks as ``Joe the Barber.''

Joe has been cutting hair in Springfield since 1970 and has owned Cooper's Clippers since 1983. For five decades, Joe has cut hair. He has cut my hair. He has cut my father's hair. He has cut the hair of nearly everyone I know.

Joe has told jokes. He has told stories. They solve the problems of the world right there in the barber shop, and he has gotten to know generations of Springfield families.

He is also a huge Cardinals fan. Joe has accurately called the Dodgers the best team that money could buy. So if you are a Dodgers fan sitting in his chair, you may want to keep that to yourself until the haircut is finished.

Ask Joe what he will miss most, and his answer is simple: The people.

I congratulate Joe on 56 years behind the chair, and I thank him for being such a memorable part of the Springfield community. I wish him a joyous retirement, and go Cardinals.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1118) to amend title 41, United States Code, and title 10, United States Code, to provide best value through the multiple award schedule program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I support the Value Over Cost Act, H.R. 1118, which modernizes the General Services Administration's governmentwide Multiple Award Schedule program.

GSA's Multiple Award Schedule program is the Federal Government's most-used contracting procedure for commercial products and services. Federal agencies rely on the Multiple Award Schedule to purchase the best commercial products, services, and solutions at the best price.

Currently, GSA is required to evaluate the ``lowest overall cost alternative'' when determining what will be available on the Multiple Award Schedule. This requires a burdensome process that can actually lead to higher prices over time as contractors pass hidden administrative or ongoing support costs along to the Federal Government.

This bill allows GSA to consider awarding contracts based on the best value instead of the lowest overall cost alternative.

This reform mirrors a change that was made in fiscal year 2026 in the National Defense Authorization Act, putting the civilian agencies on equal footing with our defense agencies.

This bill will maximize the Federal Government's ability to get the best value when procuring modern technology.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Byron Donalds and Jared Moskowitz for their leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this targeted government efficiency bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important governmentwide procurement reform bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7283) to amend title 41, United States Code, to amend the time period for certain acquisition-related dollar thresholds.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, the Ensuring Federal Purchasing Efficiency Act is a simple, commonsense reform to government procurement.

The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council is required to adjust certain dollar thresholds, such as the simplified acquisition threshold, every 5 years. However, everyone has seen how quickly the value of money can move in just 5 years.

This bill would simply require these thresholds to be updated every 3 years instead of every 5 years.

These dollar thresholds define the applicability of different policies, procedures, and restrictions to the procurement of property or services needed by Federal agencies to achieve their missions.

Raising these dollar thresholds more frequently saves taxpayer dollars on administrative costs and increases competition to do business with the government, especially for small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important government efficiency reform legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Fallon).

Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this government procurement reform bill that will lessen administrative burdens for Federal agencies and companies doing business with the government, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.