Make it in America

On July 20th, 2010, Congressman John Garamendi introduced a package of three bills to bring back good manufacturing jobs in America. The package closes corporate tax loopholes that reward the off-shoring of jobs and ends taxpayer subsidies for foreign-produced clean energy technology, buses, railcars, and ferries.

"I want to walk into Target and see "Made in America" throughout the store. We can make it in America," Congressman Garamendi said. "Middle-class wages in America have stagnated for three decades, and our country’s future success depends on bringing back good manufacturing jobs."

"We produce steel and concrete in Antioch and Pittsburg, solar panels in Livermore, and buses in Hayward," Garamendi added. "We must make sure the U.S. tax code and other federal polices encourage job creation in America. This work can be done by hardworking Americans in Northern California and throughout the country. Let’s make it here."

Congressman Garamendi today introduced the following three bills:

• Buses, Rail Cars, Ferryboats: Make it in America Act of 2010– This bill would create American jobs by eliminating three waivers to the Buy America requirement and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent on American-made buses, rail cars, and ferryboats. Transit agencies would have to look to American manufacturers for their transportation equipment needs unless it increases costs by 25 percent or more, thereby putting welders, engineers, mechanics, electricians, technicians, and other Americans back to work.

• Manufacture Renewable Energy Systems: Make it in America Act of 2010 – This bill would create American jobs by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent on American-made renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, geothermal, and biofuels. Phased over a four year transitional period, the bill requires the federal government and any state government buying renewable technologies with federal funds to purchase renewable sources of energy grown, produced, or manufactured with 100% domestic content. It also requires any company taking advantage of the Investment Tax Credit and the Production Tax Credit to buy 100% domestic content within four years after the bill becomes law.

• Close Foreign Tax Loopholes: Make it in America Act of 2010– This bill would create American jobs by closing nine corporate tax loopholes that encourage the abuse of the U.S. foreign tax credit system. This bill is a stand-alone measure that incorporates provisions from the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010 (H.R. 4213), which passed the House as a two-part measure on May 28, 2010, and has been subsequently stalled in the Senate.  These provisions were developed jointly by the Treasury Department, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Senate Finance Committee to end abuses of the U.S. foreign tax credit system and other abuses.  By closing foreign tax loopholes and discouraging the off-shoring of American jobs, this bill would strengthen the economy by eliminating $14.451 billion of loopholes.

China is now the world’s third largest wind power producer. The world’s fifteen largest photovoltaic power stations are in the European Union. About 15 million Americans are presently unemployed.

Middle-class wages in America have stagnated for three decades, and our country’s future success in a global economy depends on reinvigorating our manufacturing sectors. Our competitors have invested significant resources in the clean technologies of the future, and it’s important that we do the same.