Now here's something Democrats and Republicans alike can probably get behind. Congressman Mark Schauer (MI-07) is appropriately outraged that hats and keychains being used to promote the 2010 US Census were made in China. And he's doing something about it.
Congressman Mark Schauer of Michigan's seventh district introduced bipartisan legislation that would block goods that are made in China from U.S. government contracts. Democratic Congressman Mark Schauer of Michigan's seventh district introduced legislation [last week] that would block goods made in China from U.S. government contracts.
"My bill is simple," said Schauer. "Since China is blocking American companies from competing for contracts with its government, we’re going to do the same. It’s time to level the playing field and ensure our taxpayer dollars create jobs here at home, instead of China."
The bill is being co-sponsored by Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and eight Democratic co-sponsors, including Reps. Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.), Tim Ryan (Ohio) and John Hall (N.Y.).
Schauer went further in a guest editorial in Jackson Citizen Patriot:
Locally, my office has heard from multiple businesses that are losing work due to unfair competition from China. One local manufacturer has even started collecting evidence to show that unscrupulous American firms are importing goods from China and replacing the labels with ones that say "Made in the U.S.A." to unfairly compete for government contracts.
Folks in Washington just don't get what we're up against here in Michigan. Last week, the House passed a bill to provide cash rebates for products to make homes more energy efficient. I voted against it, because the bill would allow these taxpayer-funded cash rebates to be spent on things like air conditioners and water heaters that were made in China.
I'm not particularly interested in protectionism in this country but at some point we have say "enough is enough". I don't consider it protectionism to force China to play on a level playing field. And the message sent by the US Census materials being made in China is terrible. I suspect that once this news gets wider coverage, labor unions will be rightfully outraged, as well.
More on Congressman Schauer's action on this issue and his vote against the "Cash for Caulkers" legislation HERE.
Go get 'em, Mark!
I'm just sayin'...