[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 103 (Wednesday, June 19, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E792-E793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2020

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. BRADLEY SCOTT SCHNEIDER

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2019

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2740) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
     Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2020, and for other purposes:
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Madam Chair, I rise in support of the amendment 
offered with my colleague from New Hampshire, Congresswoman Annie 
Kuster.
  Department of Defense leadership is needed to develop lead-free 
electronics to solve a pressing defense industrial base supply chain 
issue.

[[Page E793]]

  Throughout the world, the commercial electronics industry converted 
to lead-free component technology years ago. However, the defense 
electronics industry here at home remains reliant on lead-based 
assembly technology.
  That's because Defense electronics in a fighter jet have different 
performance requirements than commercial electronics such as in an 
iPhone. These defense platforms require a much longer lifespan and the 
ability to perform in extreme environments.
  Our amendment seeks to address the difficulty and cost DOD has 
experienced in trying to source lead-free electronic technologies, 
which will only increase as time goes on.
  Additionally, without research and investment, our defense industrial 
base will continue to face challenges incorporating newly developed 
technologies, ultimately adversely affecting our military readiness.
  I urge my colleagues to back our amendment to bolster U.S. efforts to 
develop lead-free defense electronics and look forward to working with 
Rep. Kuster and the defense subcommittee on this issue.

                          ____________________