Heinrich's Votes Boost Manufacturing Industry

Press Release

Today, U.S. Representative Martin Heinrich (NM-1) voted to boost the American manufacturing industry and create jobs by requiring the Congress and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to purchase products that are made in America. Rep. Heinrich voted for H.R. 2039, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act, and H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act, which are part of the Democratic "Make it in America" national manufacturing strategy to create the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future--promoting American competitiveness, innovation, and exports.

"During my high-tech manufacturing business tour in August, I saw firsthand the breakout success of our homegrown companies like Transcore Amtech Technology Center and Senspex, Inc., which have both grown and created good jobs during the recession," said Rep. Heinrich. "I will continue fighting for New Mexico's small businesses and keep doing all I can to support our local manufacturing industry."

H.R. 2039 requires Congress to buy goods and services made by American workers for the first time since "Buy American" rules were instituted for federal agencies under President Roosevelt in 1933, including tighter Buy American requirements for items with the seal of Congress, the House, or Senate.

H.R. 3116 bars DHS from buying clothing, tents and other products that are not "grown, reprocessed, reused or produced" in America. For the last 60 years, the Berry Amendment has required the U.S. Department of Department and the Coast Guard to buy a range of domestically produced or grown items with 100 percent U.S. content.

During the recent August district work period, Rep. Heinrich conducted a month-long effort to highlight local, high-tech manufacturing businesses in central New Mexico. Over the month, Rep. Heinrich met with employees and toured numerous businesses that provide quality jobs to hundreds of New Mexicans, including: Senspex, Inc., Applied Technology Associates, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Sandia Ion Beam Lab, SUMCO, Optomec, Aspen Avionics, and the Transcore Amtech Technology Center.

Earlier this year, Rep. Heinrich voted to close the tax loopholes that corporations were using to send American jobs overseas, and provided tax credits to help small businesses hire new employees and sell their products overseas.

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