Lawmaker seeks delay in contractor ethics rules

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., on Wednesday called on the Clinton administration to extend for six months the effective date of the so-called 'blacklisting' rules that restrict companies from contracting with the U.S. government if they fail to meet certain labor standards.

Davis called the date for implementation, Jan. 19, both "inadequate and totally impractical."

Davis said in a Jan. 17 letter "neither the government through its professional contracting officers nor private sector federal contractors will be prepared to meet the significant new obligations and responsibilities imposed by the new regulations by that date."

The letter was sent to the General Services Administration, the Defense Department, the Office of Federal Procurement Policy and NASA.