Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2020

Floor Speech

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Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of this en bloc package.

My amendment highlights the positive work done by public universities and law schools offering pro bono legal services for our Nation's veterans.

As the ranking member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, I understand that putting together a proper application for disability benefits can be difficult at times.

In my district, Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Law offers assistance to veterans when appealing disability claims. The program has helped thousands of these heroes and increases the chances for the veterans receiving positive responses in a timely manner.

I thank the chair and ranking member for including this in the en bloc package, and I urge its support.
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Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment in support of the President's executive order entitled ``Strengthening Buy-American Preferences for Infrastructure Projects.''

When Federal agencies spend tax dollars, those dollars should be spent on American-made products. This not only includes items directly procured by the Federal Government but, also, those funded through Federal aid programs.

Each year, the Federal Government will spend hundreds of billions of dollars procuring goods and services. Many billions more will be provided directly to States to build our Nation's military infrastructure.

Unfortunately, buy-American preference requirements are not consistently applied between various agencies. This may result in the loss of jobs and missing contract opportunities for American businesses and workers.

To address these potential shortfalls, the President's executive order directs agency heads to identify opportunities to maximize the use of American-made products.

I strongly support those efforts. Federal agencies should already be following this executive order, and my amendment would simply reinforce the President's efforts.

Madam Chair, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Chair, I claim the time to speak on the amendment, although I do not oppose the amendment.

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Mr. BOST. Madam Chair, I appreciate the gentlewoman's support of the amendment. I also support the cosponsorship from Congressman Dan Lipinski and his support of these efforts as well.

Madam Chair, with that, I yield back the balance of my time.

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