Bill Tightens Buy American Rules for Items with Congressional Seals

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following remarks on H.R. 2039, the “Congressional Made in America Promise Act.”  This bill 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.  The House passed the bill, 371-36.

 “Madam Speaker:  I rise in support of H.R. 2039, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act.  I commend Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH09) for her leadership on this issue and working to get the bill passed. 

“Today, we are considering legislation that will help improve the Buy American Act, which requires the United States government to purchase goods produced and manufactured in the United States, when it is in the best interest of the United States to do so.  Specifically, H.R. 2039 would amend the Buy American Act so that “Buy American” statutory requirements are applied to articles, materials and supplies used by Congressional offices.  Further, the Made in America Promise Act requires that any article containing the Congressional seal be purchased from American vendors, without exception.

“Madam Speaker, this Act is an important part of the Democratic plan to assist Main Street Americans – hard-working, talented, dedicated workers. Citizens of Michigan’s 15th Congressional District, unfortunately, have long been victims of outsourcing and unfair trade agreements, even before the Great Recession began.  They have seen their jobs shipped overseas in large part because of corporate tax breaks encouraging outsourcing and trade policies that lower labor standards and do nothing to open up new markets for U.S. goods.

“This legislation is part of an ongoing effort to save and create American jobs and continue our country on the path to economic recovery.  What we have here is a choice between protecting the wealth of some versus creating opportunity for all.  I’m asking my colleagues to join me in voting for opportunity.

“I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 2039.”