Rep. Poliquin Commends Senate's Passage of Defense Bill With Language to Support 900 Maine Jobs
Today, the Senate passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017, which included language that is identical to the provision that Maine's 2nd District Congressman, Bruce Poliquin, added to the House's version. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) authored the language in the Senate's version, which would make certain the Berry Amendment, a provision that requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to use American-made products for recruits when available, is fully implemented. This language will help our American manufacturers, provide our military recruits with the best equipment available, and ensure that U.S. tax dollars go to U.S. workers and families, and not to workers overseas. Congressman Poliquin released the following statement:
"This is a huge step forward for hundreds of workers in Maine," said Congressman Poliquin. "I commend Senators King and Collins for working to include this important language in the Senate's version of the defense bill, in what we hope will prove to be a landmark victory for hundreds of jobs in Maine.
"I will continue to do everything I can to get this critical language signed into law to ensure that our tax dollars go to American manufacturers, benefiting Americans workers, not to workers overseas, and to provide our Servicemen and Servicewomen with the highest quality equipment available made right here in America."
In April, Congressman Poliquin strongly and successfully urged his colleagues on the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) to have his language included in the House version of the NDAA, personally calling and talking with every single Republican member of the committee and successfully urging for their support. Poliquin has worked tirelessly and very closely with Democratic Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (MA-03) for months on this issue, including introducing legislation, sending a letter to HASC members and testifying before the HASC to make sure that the Berry Amendment is fully implemented, benefiting these 900 hardworking Mainers.
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