Cliff Stearns: “I rise, like my other colleagues, in support of H.R. 5337, the Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct…”

“I rise, like my other colleagues, in support of H.R. 5337, the Reform of National Security Reviews of Foreign Direct Investments Act. Obviously, we all agree this is a bill that will strengthen the American economy by encouraging others to invest in America, while at the same time, fortifying our national security. Myself and Ranking Member Schakowsky had a hearing dealing with this bill, which showed the importance of it. We had a very small part. I think the Department of Commerce is now co-vice chair in the bill, but I want to commend Mr. Blunt for his leadership on this, and also for the continuing leadership of Chairman Oxley, who did all the vitally important work for this. We had a very small part in it, my subcommittee, which is the Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Trade. We all know that open investment policy has made the United States a favorite destination for foreign direct investment, with over $115 billion invested in 2004, supporting over 5 million American jobs found in every State of this union, from car manufacturing plants in Missouri to aircraft production in my home State of Florida. This bill will ensure that the United States is and will remain the world's benchmark for open, transparent investment policy.…”