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On July 30th, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) introduced H.R. 6044, The American Manufacturing Disaster Relief Act of 2010.

Under current law, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is exempted from the “Buy American Act” during their disaster relief efforts outside the United States.  If passed, H.R. 6044 would establish an order for USAID to purchase their disaster relief supplies from American companies, ensuring American-made products are purchased before foreign-made products when American-made products are available when assisting foreign countries.

“During these tough economic times, we need to do everything we can to help our manufacturing industry to help create and ensure job stability as they face stiff competition from overseas competitors.  Just as the Department of Defense is required in their disaster relief efforts to purchase American-made products, USAID should be held to that standard as well.   Because USAID is funded with taxpayer dollars, it is only fair that the ‘Buy American Act’ apply to USAID,” Latta stated after introducing the legislation.

H. R. 6044 has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.