To prohibit any executive branch agency from entering into any service contract if the services procured under the contract can be performed at a lower cost by employees of the agency.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 27, 1997

Prohibits an executive branch agency from entering into a service contract unless: (1) the agency has determined the total cost to the Government of procuring services under the contract and the total cost of having those services performed by employees of the agency; and (2) the costs of the latter are greater.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] · D–DC

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 4, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.
Feb 27, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.
Feb 27, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E343)
Feb 27, 1997
Introduced in House
Feb 27, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Feb 27, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.885 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.885, 105th Congress: To prohibit any executive branch agency from entering into any service contract if the services procured under the contract can be performed at a lower cost by employees of the agency.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/885

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr885/BILLS-105hr885ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.885 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.885 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.885, 105th Congress: To prohibit any executive branch agency from entering into any service contract if the services procured under the contract can be performed at a lower cost by employees of the agency.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/885

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr885/BILLS-105hr885ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.885 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.885 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.885, 105th Congress: To prohibit any executive branch agency from entering into any service contract if the services procured under the contract can be performed at a lower cost by employees of the agency.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/885

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr885/BILLS-105hr885ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.885 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.885 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.885, 105th Congress: To prohibit any executive branch agency from entering into any service contract if the services procured under the contract can be performed at a lower cost by employees of the agency.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/885

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-02-27.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr885/BILLS-105hr885ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-03-23T12:17:56Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.885 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.