[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF THE KEEP AMERICA SECURE ACT

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                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, if we are to maintain the most advanced 
military force, with the most advanced weaponry, we must have a 
dedicated stream of domestically produced parts. Regrettably, today 
this simply is not happening. We can blame it on the reluctance of the 
Department of Defense to ``Buy American'' or on the dearth of domestic 
electronic component producers. Either way, our armed forces dependence 
on foreign parts has major security ramifications. From missiles to 
computers, much of our crucial defense and homeland security equipment 
relies on sophisticated electronic components to function. We must act 
now to eliminate our reliance on foreign electronic components in our 
defense systems.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, I am taking a bold step to keep America secure 
and rebuild our domestic electronics sector. I am introducing the 
``Keep America Secure Act,'' legislation that directs the Department of 
Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to purchase 
electronic components, including computer chips, communications 
devices, and guidance systems, that are manufactured in the United 
States. As an active member of the Defense Industrial Base Caucus, I 
see this bill as the perfect complement to ongoing efforts to enhance 
the ``Buy American'' requirement so that at least 65 percent of DoD 
equipment contains U.S.-made parts. My bill would go even further--
requiring all component parts for all DoD and DHS equipment to be Made-
In-America.
  During the first Gulf War, the United States was forced to turn to 
Japan--not once, but on three separate occasions--for essential parts 
in the production of the Patriot Missile. Similarly, when Operation 
Iraqi Freedom began in March, a Swiss company stopped shipments of a 
crucial guidance system component for U.S. smart bombs. Both these 
incidents could have resulted in U.S. forces being in harm's way 
without necessary tools to defend themselves. Fortunately, neither 
incident caused threats to our troops, but they clearly demonstrate the 
need to protect our production supply lines from being cut, especially 
in times of war.
  Additionally, Mr. Speaker, as one who is very concerned about the 
state of domestic manufacturing, I strongly believe that the Keep 
America Secure will help re-ignite our high-tech sector. Over the last 
two years, our economy has lost 2.6 million manufacturing jobs. The 
Keep America Secure Act would help promote the remaining U.S. high tech 
firms. We need to rebuild the domestic electronic components industry, 
and this bill will help us do it.
  As our troops continue to rebuild Iraq and our first responders focus 
on homeland security, Congress must make a commitment to rebuilding our 
domestic manufacturing base and to ensuring that our courageous 
defenders continue to have the best equipment available. And as our 
economy suffers, let us give the manufacturing sector a needed shot in 
the arm. Unless the Congress stands up and puts a halt to it we will 
eventually be at the mercy of any adversary who controls the 
manufacture of our weapons or critical components of our weapons.
  Mr. Speaker, in the days to come, I will look to my like-minded 
friends, on both sides of the aisle, to get action on this vital 
measure. I say to my colleagues: let's work together to keep America 
secure.

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