WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday introduced an amendment to the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 that would increase the Buy American requirements on major defense programs to 100% domestic content. The amendment is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). Currently, equipment that has only 50% of its content from U.S. suppliers is considered compliant with the Buy American Act. Requiring 100% of the products purchased by the Defense Department to be made in America will support U.S. manufacturers and create jobs. It will also protect our national security by defending the supply chain for our major defense programs against foreign disruptions.

Murphy’s amendment is endorsed by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM); The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW); Communications Workers of America (CWA); the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; and AFL-CIO. 

“When we spend taxpayer money, we should spend it here helping local jobs and boosting our economy. If we want to support U.S. manufacturing jobs and make sure our military has safe and secure products, we should make everything in America,” said Murphy. 

“American servicemembers deserve the best possible products, and federal spending should create good, middle-class jobs here at home rather than overseas,” said Warren. “I’m glad to support Senator Murphy’s amendment to help accomplish both of these crucial goals.”  

“I strongly believe that American workers should build our nation’s military using American iron, steel and parts, and taxpayer dollars should not be spent to support foreign workers,” said Baldwin. “The 100 percent Buy American commitment will drive local economic growth and create good paying jobs that support Wisconsin families, and ensure that our military is using the highest quality, American-made products to keep our country safe.” 

“The Machinists Union applauds Sen. Murphy for taking this step to ensure that our tax dollars used on defense are spent as they should be—on products manufactured with 100 percent domestic content produced by U.S. workers here at home. Sen. Murphy’s amendment would help ensure that our tax dollars are used to support the U.S. workforce and the firms who employ them. Both parties should join Sen. Murphy in supporting U.S. workers and demand that 100 percent of goods purchased for defense procurement are manufactured in the United States,” said Robert Martinez, Jr., Machinists Union International President. 

Murphy has persistently called for the U.S. government to strengthen Buy American requirements and improve compliance with existing laws. In order to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy has introduced legislation to strengthen existing Buy American standards and prioritize the purchase of American-made goods, including the BuyAmerican.gov Act, American Jobs Matter Act and the 21st Century Buy American Act. 

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