DelBene Praises Senate Action to Hold Army Corps Accountable

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today lauded Senate passage of an amendment requiring military agencies -- including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) -- to purchase anchor and mooring chain from American manufacturers. DelBene secured passage of the amendment in last year's omnibus, and is now fighting alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) to protect the requirement in 2017.

"For more than half a century, Congress has been clear that taxpayer dollars should be spent on products manufactured here at home, not overseas. Doing so not only protects American jobs, but also reinforces our national security," DelBene said. "I want to thank Senator Patty Murray for leading this effort in the Senate chamber and joining me in this fight to support U.S. manufacturers and workers."

Current rules require military agencies to purchase anchor and mooring chain from American manufacturers unless granted a waiver. Unfortunately, in recent years, multiple Army Corps contracts have been awarded to suppliers of imported foreign chain -- primarily from China -- which is explicitly prohibited. Through multiple amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, DelBene has been fighting since 2014 to stop the Army Corps from circumventing this requirement.

Monday's 55-38 vote makes congressional intent from both chambers clear. DelBene was previously able to secure inclusion of her amendment in the House Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017, but the Senate needed to follow suit.

Last month, DelBene blasted the Army Corp for continuing to ignore federal regulations by awarding another contract to a supplier of foreign-made anchor chain.

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