Michael Kopetski: “I rise to associate myself with the Berman amendment to require assistance for dislocated defense workers under the Job…”

“I rise to associate myself with the Berman amendment to require assistance for dislocated defense workers under the Job Training and Partnership Act be made available for workers whose jobs are affected by Federal policy banning the sale abroad of certain U.S.-made weapons. Across our Nation, and particularly throughout California and the Pacific Northwest, many of the best, brightest and most productive U.S. workers are employed by defense contractors. As U.S. defense spending has leveled off, defense contractors have increased exports around the globe. Today, the United States is the world's leading exporter in armaments. Recent history, the Persian Gulf war for example, tells us that U.S. arms exports may be profitable job creators in the short term, yet deadly weaponry when turned against American military personnel on the battlefield. I support legislation to scrutinize, and in some cases forbid, U.S. arms sales. In my opinion, this closer scrutiny of U.S. arms sales is warranted and in our national security interests. The Berman amendment is an important component to increased scrutiny and inevitable reductions of U.S. arms sales. I am pleased to support it as part of this en bloc package. And I urge the adoption of the en bloc amendment as offered by Chairman Dellums.”