Richmond County Daily Journal - October 1, 2010

To my constant frustration, it can often take quite a while for a simple common sense idea to catch on in Washington. But after nearly 20 months of me pestering and pressuring everyone I talk to about it, it appears that one little bit of Eighth District common sense is beginning to catch on up there—the only way to truly correct and recover our economy is to begin making things in America again, and put people back to work by supporting policies and practices that encourage and reward American manufacturing. You and I both know that Made in America isn’t a slogan or campaign gimmick, it is a proven path to American success.

One step in this direction occurred last week with passage in the House of our Buy American bill. The bill will require that textiles bought by the Department of Homeland Security be made in America, with American materials. While this is an important beginning, it is only a beginning. We have much left to do to get our economy moving again.

As our country works to lessen our dependence on foreign oil, from solar to wind, there are alternative energy sources that will not only help power our cars and homes, but can also power our economy. However, if we’re not manufacturing the panels and turbines here, we’re losing out on the full benefit. As we work to refocus our energy plan, we must also revitalize our manufacturing sector. Our reliance on China and other countries must end. And that includes our reliance on other countries to manufacture the durable goods we use in our homes and in our businesses.

This week, I called on the President and his Administration to take immediate action to stop our nation from falling victim to the unfair trade policies of China, especially in the green energy sector. The United States cannot stand on the sidelines and lose out on the emerging opportunity of this market. We must enforce on China the very same trade laws our nation abides by. America is poised and capable to lead the world in new energy technology manufacturing, and we must not allow our government to sabotage this opportunity by giving away our market position to foreign countries, as it has done before in textiles and other manufacturing.

As we fight to level the playing field for our nation by enforcing and pursuing policies that are in America’s best economic and security interests, we must also make sure our government does all it can to promote American business. This week, I introduced the Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act. Often, the biggest struggle for growing businesses is finding financing. And our government has not done enough to assist them. This legislation will help green energy companies to access financing they need to create jobs and manufacture and develop products that can help us all. These companies can retrofit our closed factories and fill them with hard working Americans ready to push our great nation into the lead of the green energy manufacturing economy.

This week, I supported passage of the Congressional Made in America Promise Act. This is another common sense measure to help get our economy back on track. It requires both houses of Congress to ensure that all products purchased for their use be American-made. Whenever possible, taxpayer dollars should be used to purchase things that are Made in America. We must stop shipping tax dollars overseas to buy things we are perfectly capable of making right here at home.

As many of our working (and out of work) families are reminded every month, during these tough times, the bills come in faster than the money to pay them does. This week, a bill passed to help relieve high utility and electric bills by creating a Rural Energy Savings Program. The program would provide loans to American families, small businesses and farmers in rural communities to help with renovations to become more energy efficient. By directly helping with the hefty upfront costs of weatherizing windows and doors or revamping HVAC systems, the savings help immediately put money back in your pocket. This program helps guarantee that when families sit down at that kitchen table to balance the bills, they can breathe a little easier when they see direct savings and reduction of costs on their electric bills.

We all know that we don’t need more government red tape or more reliance on foreign nations—we need to just give our small businesses the environment they need, and get out of the way. If our American businesses prosper, our nation prospers. Buying American will get the American worker back on track, and help our country be as strong and prosperous as ever. Putting common sense into practice will end the exportation of our jobs overseas, and we can instead begin exporting again more of our quality, well-made American goods.