Political Quotes

“the Raleigh News & Observer headline this past Sunday said, ``North Carolina's Trade Deficit Soars: Manufacturing Slide Continues Despite Decline in Dollar.'' One in four North Carolinians employed in manufacturing have lost their jobs during the past 5 years. Plants across the State are closing their doors entirely, and other firms are moving jobs offshore, truthfully mostly to China. North Carolina's 10th Congressional District has a disproportionately large percentage of local economies built on manufacturing. So the communities I represent are struggling even more due to this manufacturing recession. The National Association of Manufacturers reports that job losses will continue as long as U.S. imports from China are six times as large as exports to China. These statistics highlight why I have become a strong proponent of the newly formed Defense Industrial Base Caucus. The U.S. cannot be reliant on foreign manufacturers of military or homeland security systems and equipment. We have got to invest in critical industries where we do not have the capacity for self-sufficiency and purchase goods from those United States sectors that are the best in the world. A recent admission from the Pentagon underscores the need for the U.S. to regain its manufacturing self-sufficiency.”