Garamendi Unveils New Make It In America Bills Requiring 85% American Made Content for All Federally Funded Transportation & Clean Energy Projects
WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield, CA), today announced two new Make It In America bills designed to create American jobs and jumpstart America's manufacturing sector.
His bills, H.R. 6216, the Make It In America, Create Transportation Manufacturing Jobs in America Act, and H.R. 6217, the Make It In America, Create Clean Energy Manufacturing Jobs Act, would raise the federal minimum of 66 percent American content to 85 percent, phased over three years. This level is in line with feasible bids received for new rail cars at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency (LAMTA). Garamendi previously introduced two similar bills that required 100 percent American content, and the new bills reflect substantial industry, public agency, and labor input.
Congressman Garamendi said, "Our tax money should go toward U.S. manufacturing, employing American workers. When we Make It In America, Americans can make it once again."
House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, who has led a comprehensive Make It In America jobs agenda, added, "I commend Congressman Garamendi for leading efforts to create jobs, restore our economy, and move Democrats' Make It In America jobs plan forward. His bills, which strengthen Buy American requirements for transportation and clean energy projects, are a key part of the Make It In America plan because they will ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent on products made here in the U.S. I am proud to work with Congressman Garamendi to promote these and other Make It In America bills that will create well-paying, middle-class jobs, strengthen our manufacturing sector, and ensure more businesses and families can make it in America."
"I can say with confidence that my new Make It In America bills are practical and reasonable, because an 85 percent Made In America requirement is in line with price-competitive feasible bids for new cars at BART and LAMTA," Congressman Garamendi said. "It's time for Congress to end the excuses and to give these jobs bills the up-or-down vote on the House floor that they deserve. We're not just debating a piece of legislation; we're debating whether to create millions of jobs with a painless change in policy."
Garamendi continued, "When our roads, bridges, transit, and clean energy systems are built with American-made equipment, more of our fellow citizens take home a paycheck. They spend that money at local restaurants. They go on weekend getaways. They buy homes. They take the kids out for entertainment. They use their money here in America, helping create more jobs for Americans. When we increase the Buy America requirement, fewer Americans are reliant on unemployment insurance, food assistance, and other social services. We convert tax receivers into taxpayers. We responsibly reduce the deficit and jumpstart our economy with one simple change in policy. It just makes sense."
For more on Congressman Garamendi's legislation, visit www.garamendi.house.gov/makeitinamerica.