Berry Amendment Extension Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3116, the Berry Amendment Extension Act.

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from procuring certain items--including textiles such as clothing, tents, canvas and cotton--unless they are grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. By requiring the Secretary to procure certain items from within the U.S., this bill takes an important step in promoting U.S. job growth and supporting large and small businesses alike.

The Department of Homeland Security employs over 150,000 uniformed men and women who are dedicated to the Department's vital mission of protecting the homeland against a range of threats. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, for example, employs over 21,000 officers and 20,000 Border

Patrol agents, and these numbers continue to grow. The Transportation Security Administration has 48,000 officers. The U.S. Coast Guard has over 50,000 uniformed personnel. These growing numbers represent an opportunity to produce uniforms and other materials in the U.S. to support their mission, rather than overseas. This, in turn, will help create American jobs in this troubled economy.

The bill provides for exceptions in certain situations, including procurements by vessels in foreign waters, emergency procurements, low-cost procurements, and if items of sufficient quantity or quality are not available when needed.

The bill also includes language requiring its provisions to be applied in a manner consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements.

H.R. 3116 is a commonsense piece of legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

BREAK IN TRASCRIPT

Source