(Washington, D.C.) – An amendment offered by US Representative Sue Myrick to HR 384, the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP) Reform and Accountability Act, that would prevent any company that receives funds as part of the TARP from outsourcing any new customer service or call center jobs to a foreign-based company, passed by voice vote today in the House.
 
“Given the amount of federal dollars pouring into US companies from the TARP, and given the fact that the US unemployment rate is now above 7%, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to demand that American workers are used to fill any new customer service jobs for the companies who are assisted with American taxpayer dollars,” Rep. Myrick said during a Floor speech in support of the amendment today.
 
However, Rep. Myrick voted against HR 384 when it came to the Floor for a vote.
 
“My amendment made this a better bill, but I still had concerns about the terms of the release of the $350 billion under it,” said Rep. Myrick. “It expanded the uses for TARP funds, which were originally approved in order to free up the credit market. Under this bill, the funds can be used far beyond the original intent of the program.”
 
H.R. 384 passed in the House by a vote of 260-166.