If signed into law, the FY 2009 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee would stop the Executive from joining the race to the bottom for cheap labor.

The Democratic Policy Committee is holding a pair of hearings this week to examine contractor practices in Iraq.

• Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars in Iraq: An Insider's View of Questionable Contracting Practices by KBR and the Pentagon Wednesday, July 9, 2008 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 608 Dirksen Senate Office Building
• Contractor Misconduct and the Electrocution Deaths of American Soldiers in Iraq Friday, July 11, 2008 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Happy Fourth of July! Just wanted to let our loyal BudgetBlog readers know we're going on a short hiatus next week. With Congress heading out of town for a short summer recess and the upcoming Fourth of July holiday next week, the Fiscal Policy team is heading out of town in order to escape the heat for some well-deserved vacation. This means, though, that the BudgetBlog will be dormant next week. But don't despair. Craig and I will return in one short week on July 7 to continue to bring you all the news, gossip, information, and analysis on federal fiscal policy you've come to expect.

Another report of a questionable use of outsourcing appeared today in CongressDaily, this time it's happening over at the State Department. Seems folks over there have modified an existing contract to Computer Sciences Corporation (FedSpending.org profile) to "collect visa information and fingerprints of Mexicans applying for new border crossing cards." The non-competed contract has raised some eyebrows in Congress and among government watchdogs, particularly the Government Accountability Office (GAO).