Homeland Security to buy textiles from American companies
16 Mar '06
2 min read
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) which spends lot of money on uniforms and shoes and all kinds of stuff should join the military in buying more textiles from American companies, Rep. Robin Hayes said.
Hayes in legislation co-sponsored by five other North Carolina Republicans and 16 other House members asked military purchasers to buy American textiles whenever required.
The Concord Republican lobbied to make it easier to find out when Pentagon buyers use foreign suppliers for U.S. military uniforms.
When exception to domestic-source requirements is allowed by Defense Department, the Secretary of Defense would be required to post a notification on a General Services Administration Web site within seven days.
International free-trade agreements have been responsible in many job losses in Hayes' district of North Carolina.
This requirement is to protect American jobs and assure DHS officials may not be wearing goods manufactured by a potential adversary, like China, he said in a statement.
The bill is co sponsored by North Carolina Republicans Howard Coble, Virginia Foxx, Walter Jones, Sue Myrick and Patrick McHenry.
National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition and the American Apparel and Footwear Association also support this bill.
American taxpayer would prefer that their taxes are being used to preserve American jobs and that is the purpose of this legislation, said Jim Chesnutt, Chairman of NCTO and Chief Executive of Washington, N.C.-based National Spinning Co.
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