Bob Latta: “Mr. Speaker, on March 4, I sent a letter to the FEMA administrator. That letter is regarding my concerns and the…”

“Mr. Speaker, on March 4, I sent a letter to the FEMA administrator. That letter is regarding my concerns and the concerns I have heard from U.S. tent manufacturers and suppliers about FEMA purchasing disaster relief tents from foreign manufacturers. Humanitarian needs are great throughout the world, and the American people have shown their generous spirit through the outpouring of monetary and commodity donations as well as teams of personnel to serve in the medical assistance area. U.S. companies who manufacture shelters, such as this tent right here, can easily increase their production to fill the needs of humanitarian crises around the world. We need to continue to have U.S. tent manufacturers who can provide tents to U.S. military, U.S. embassies, and humanitarian relief efforts throughout the world. When we use Federal taxpayers' dollars to aid in humanitarian relief efforts, we need to purchase U.S. manufactured products. The Department of Defense is required under their Buy American provision to purchase their humanitarian relief tents from U.S. manufacturers, so why shouldn't agencies such as FEMA or USAID be required to do the same? Companies that are proven and have had government contracts help retain and create jobs. Purchasing U.S.-made tents also represents economic opportunities for our hard-hit areas in the United States where manufacturing jobs have disappeared by the thousands in the last several years.”