Reps Murphy, Edwards, and Lipinski Offer Defense Authorization Amendments Aimed to Spur Domestic Job Creation

Press Release

Representatives Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), and Christopher Murphy (D-CT) offered a slate of amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010, H.R. 5136, aimed at spurring economic growth through domestic job creation. In FY 2008 for example, the Department of Defense spent $25.4 billion (6.4 percent) on purchases from foreign entities. The amendments would broaden the coverage of the Buy American Act of 1933, direct the Department of Defense to assess the impact of domestic jobs on defense capability, and require an annual analysis of increases or decreases in Buy America waivers granted.

"The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an important opportunity to send a clear message to the Department of Defense that in order to foster growth in the economy we must invest in our domestic workforce," said Congresswoman Edwards. "Defense contracts mean good-paying jobs. These amendments will increase dramatically the transparency in the waiver process, allow the Department of Defense to consider domestic job creation during the procurement process, and reform the waiver process to end practices that result in competitive domestic firms losing out on opportunities to foreign firms. If we buy American, we build America."

"While it's always crucial to make sure that all federal agencies 'buy American,' it's particularly important that the Department of Defense do so," Congressman Lipinski said. "We can't afford to rely on foreign companies to supply America's military. Both our national security and our economic interests require that American manufacturers be given a fighting chance to compete for Defense contracts, regardless of whether the items are to be used overseas or within our own borders. By leveling the playing field for U.S. companies, my amendments would help create jobs and strengthen America's independence without compromising military readiness."

"The eighty thousand Buy American waivers the Bush Administration granted on its way out the door begin to explain why this country has been bleeding millions of manufacturing jobs," said Congressman Murphy. "We've got to stop this trend and refocus on spending tax dollars here at home to bring some of those jobs back to Connecticut and other parts of the country."

The following are the amendments offered and cosponsored by Representatives Edwards, Lipinski, and Murphy:

Amendment: Directs the Department of Defense to include the impact on domestic jobs in their periodic assessments of defense capability.

Amendment: Requires the Department of Defense to solicit bids from domestic suppliers when procuring articles, materials, or supplies for use outside of the United States.

Amendment: Broadens the coverage of the Buy American Act of 1933 by eliminating the automatic exemption for Department of Defense acquisitions that are used abroad.

Amendment: Requires the Department of Defense to include in its yearly assessment of waivers granted under the Buy American Act an analysis of the domestic capacity to supply the articles, materials or supplies procured from overseas and an analysis of the reasons for they yearly increase or decrease in Buy American waivers granted.

Amendment: Allows the Secretary to take into account the effects on domestic employment before making an award decision.

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