Political Quotes

“I rise to discuss my amendment No. 1262 regarding the definition of specialty metals produced in the United States. Under section 2533b of title 10, U.S. Code, specialty metals included in weapon systems purchased by DOD must be produced in the United States. This requirement has been in place for more than 30 years and for most of that time, the Department interpreted the requirement to apply to metals that are ``melted'' in the United States. After Congress re-codified the requirement in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009, however, DOD decided that a metal is produced in the United States if any part of the production process takes place in this country. That includes finishing processes such as rolling, heat treatment, quenching, or tempering. This is a substantial change to the definition that has a direct impact on domestic production and American jobs, which I know the ,Chairman has defended throughout his career. My amendment would restore the long-standing definition of what it means for a metal to be ``produced'' in this country--that it must be ``melted'' here. Is the Chairman of the Armed Services Committee familiar with this issue?”