Baldwin Tells Congress to "Buy American," Says Coast Guard Should Buy American-Made Ship Engines

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin today told her colleagues the Coast Guard's history of buying ship engines from European manufacturers is "just plain wrong," and introduced a measure to "Buy American."

During debate over the Fiscal Year 2012, Homeland Security Appropriations H.R. 2017, Baldwin offered an amendment requiring that the main diesel engines for Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter ships be manufactured in the United States and made by American workers. To address any concerns that this could result in a single source contract, the amendment includes language that will ensure competition and the best value to the taxpayer.

"Getting Americans back to work is my number one priority," Baldwin told her colleagues. "The Coast Guard plans to procure 25 or more Offshore Patrol Cutters in the coming years. I fully support this acquisition program. However, I believe the Coast Guard should be required to purchase engines manufactured in the U.S. made by American workers," Baldwin said.

The Coast Guard has a history of buying ship engines from European manufacturers. It also has a history of designing ship platforms which give preference to overseas manufacturers, resulting in major contracts going to foreign manufacturers. Baldwin said that this practice is driving American manufacturing jobs overseas. Although Congress required that vessels for the Coast Guard be manufactured in the United States starting in 1993, in recent years, the Coast Guard has continued to procure vessel engines from foreign manufacturers.

Baldwin said Wisconsin steelworkers are rightfully confused. It doesn't make sense that any branch of the federal government--no less the Armed Services--would choose to give a major contract to a foreign competitor.

"Too many politicians talk about creating jobs and then do nothing. Wisconsin workers are very grateful for Congresswoman Baldwin's efforts to keep and create jobs here at home. Where these ship engines are made affects both our economy and our national security. It's a no-brainer that they should be made here by American workers," said Jim Cavanaugh, President, South Central (WI) Federation of Labor.

"When it comes to our National Defense we should always choose to manufacture domestically. I applaud Rep. Tammy Baldwin's efforts to keep these jobs in the USA," said Don Collins, Staff Representative, United Steelworkers.

Baldwin told her colleagues, "We have a choice. We can continue funneling good-paying jobs overseas, or we can allow my amendment to move forward, putting the best interest of America's working families and our national security first."

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