[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE KEEP AMERICA SECURE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to take a bold step to keep 
America secure and rebuild our domestic electronics sector. Today I am 
introducing the ``Keep America Secure Act,'' legislation that directs 
the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS) to only purchase electronic components that are manufactured in 
the United States. These electronic components--including computer 
chips, communications devices, and guidance systems--are used in 
crucial defense and homeland security equipment. This bill is the 
perfect complement to our ongoing efforts to enhance ``Buy American'' 
requirements and to ensure that all DoD and DHS equipment be Made-In-
America.
  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. 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.
  In May 2012 the Senate Armed Services Committee concluded a yearlong 
investigation that found a substantial increase in the number of 
counterfeit electronic parts used in the production of sensitive 
military equipment. The Committee noted, ``Our report outlines how this 
flood of counterfeit parts, overwhelmingly from China, threatens 
national security, the safety of our troops and American jobs.''
  Furthermore, the SASC report found approximately 1,800 cases of 
counterfeit parts in U.S. Military Aircraft while noting that both 
defense contractors and the Department of Defense lack an adequate 
understanding of the depth and severity of the problem. My legislation 
will ensure that no counterfeit parts ever find their way into any U.S. 
military aircraft by requiring that these parts be made right here at 
home. And, for the first time, it will require the Federal Aviation 
Administration to formulate rules to ensure no counterfeit parts are 
making their way into passenger aircraft as well.
  When Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March 2003, 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.
  Similarly, 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.
  Additionally, Mr. Speaker, as one who is very concerned about the 
state of domestic manufacturing, I strongly believe that the Keep 
America Secure Act will help re-ignite our high-tech sector. Between 
2000 and 2010 the United States lost more than 5 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.
  We have spent the last ten years rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan 
while continuing to neglect our weakening manufacture sector here at 
home. 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 Congress stands up and puts a halt to it we will eventually be 
at the mercy of any adversary who controls the manufacturing of our 
weapons or the 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, and say to my colleagues: let's 
work together to keep America secure.

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