[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H346]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      MAKE MORE THINGS IN AMERICA

  (Mr. PAPPAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, as an original cosponsor of the Homeland 
Procurement Reform Act, I am grateful that this legislation has been 
included in the America COMPETES Act. I will offer an amendment later 
today that strengthens provisions that support domestic manufacturing 
and American small businesses.
  It is of the utmost importance for our economic and national security 
interests that we make more things in America. That should be a 
priority when it comes to purchases made by the Department of Homeland 
Security for protective equipment for frontline personnel. Purchasing 
more of these items from qualified American small businesses would be a 
win for workers and companies that manufacture their products here in 
the United States.
  Small businesses receive less than 26 percent of Federal Government 
contracts. My amendment will help close that procurement gap and at the 
same time create good-paying jobs, support domestic manufacturing, and 
strengthen our supply chains.
  I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and the America 
COMPETES Act.

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