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On December 27, 2001, in the midst of the holiday season, the Bush Administration finally pulled the plug on a new regulation requiring federal contractors to comply with federal public health, safety, environmental and anti-discrimination laws in order to be eligible for government contracts. The federal contractor responsibility rule, finalized on December 20, 2000, became effective on January 19, 2001. The final rule clarified and reinforced the federal government’s policy of conducting business only with responsible contractors—those that have the capability, resources, performance record and ethics expected of a federal contractor receiving taxpayer dollars. However, on April 3, 2001, under pressure from business interests, the Bush Administration proposed to revoke the regulations, a threat which it carried out on December 27, 2001 with little fanfare. For more information see below. |