Political Quotes

“I rise to discuss my amendment No. 1260 with the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. This amendment would strike section 846 of the bill, which would establish a new exception to the requirement to purchase specialty metals that are produced in the United States. Over the last several months, a number of concerns have been raised about this provision. In particular: The provision is not needed, because domestic titanium is cost- competitive with foreign titanium and the cost of titanium has not been a major cost driver in DOD weapon systems. No specific case has been raised in which U.S. companies have lost contracts or manufacturing jobs as a result of a price difference between U.S. and foreign titanium. If the new exception in section 846 were abused, it could undermine the preference for domestic titanium and result in the loss of U.S. jobs. Administering the new exception could create significant burdens on both defense contractors and the Department of Defense; and the Department's existing authority to make Domestic Non-Availability Determinations (DNADs) already gives it the flexibility it would need to address a significant price differential, should it arise at some point in the future. Is the chairman of the Armed Services Committee aware of these concerns?”