Bustos, Duckworth, Loebsack Announce "Make It At Home Act" Included In Defense Authorization Act

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17), Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-8) and Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2) announced that the Make It At Home Act, a common sense bill that would help increase workload at our nation's arsenals, was offered as an amendment that unanimously passed the House Armed Services Committee. It will now be included in the House Version of the FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

"Job creation and economic growth are my top priorities, which is why I joined with Congresswoman Duckworth and Congressman Loebsack to lead this important effort to increase the manufacturing workload for our world class workforce at the Rock Island Arsenal," said Bustos. "I am encouraged our bill was included today in the National Defense Authorization Act, and I will continue to champion policies that promote American workers and American manufacturing."

"Congress needs to do everything it can to promote manufacturing in the United States," said Duckworth. "This common sense bill sets us on a path to increasing our nation's productivity at facilities like the Rock Island Arsenal and towards creating American jobs as a result. This bill also takes an important step towards addressing our over-reliance on foreign manufactured goods that go into some of our most sensitive weapon systems which has increasingly become a national security concern. American workers have the talent, skill and capability to produce goods at our nations arsenals and depots and we should give them the opportunity to do so. This important legislation opens that door of opportunity while enhancing our nation's readiness and reducing reliance on foreign sources."

"The Rock Island Arsenal is not only important for equipping those who serve our nation, but it also serves as a large economic engine for the Quad Cities region," said Loebsack. "Since coming to Congress I have worked tirelessly to grow the economy and create jobs, which is exactly what the Make It At Home Act does. I am pleased that the legislation I introduced with Congresswomen Duckworth and Bustos was incorporated into the National Defense Authorization Act."

The bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress a report on sole-sourced equipment that is currently purchased from foreign companies that could be manufactured in arsenals or depots in the U.S. The report also directs DOD to submit a plan for moving this workload to the U.S. and if this workload cannot be moved to the U.S., an explanation as to why. The report would be due to Congress 30 days after the President submits his or her annual budget.

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