http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/my ... 108256.htm

Posted on Wed, Mar. 15, 2006
Hayes wants Homeland Security to buy domestic textiles
PAUL NOWELL
Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security should join the military in buying more textiles from American companies, Rep. Robin Hayes said Wednesday.

Hayes introduced legislation, co-sponsored by five other North Carolina Republicans and 16 other House members, expanding requirements that now direct military purchasers to "Buy American" textiles whenever possible.

"Homeland Security spends a lot of money on uniforms and shoes and all kinds of stuff," Hayes said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.

In December, the Concord Republican who represents a textile-heavy district lobbied for language in a defense bill to make it easier to find out when Pentagon buyers use foreign suppliers for U.S. military uniforms. When the Defense Department allows an exception to domestic-source requirements, the Secretary of Defense would be required to post a notification on a General Services Administration Web site within seven days.

Hayes and his co-sponsors would expand the requirements for Defense Department purchases to include Homeland Security, Hayes spokeswoman Carolyn Hern said.

Hayes' district in central North Carolina has been devastated by the loss of textile jobs because of international free-trade agreements, yet the once-staunch opponent of such deals flipped sides last year to help President Bush win narrow passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA. Hayes said he did it in exchange for a promise that the Bush administration would more toughly enforce trade rules against China.

A Republican from Concord who represents a district that has lost thousands of textile jobs, Hayes said it was not simply a protectionist measure.

Hayes said maintaining a strong manufacturing base needs to be a top priority for this country.

"We must expand this requirement to not only protect American jobs, but provide the assurance that DHS officials will not be wearing goods manufactured by a potential adversary, like black berets from China," he said in a statement.

The new bill's co-sponsors include North Carolina Republicans Howard Coble, Virginia Foxx, Walter Jones, Sue Myrick and Patrick McHenry. It also has the backing of the National Council of Textile Organizations, American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition and the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

"I believe the American taxpayer wants to know that their taxes are being used to preserve American jobs, and this legislation is yet another step in that direction," said Jim Chesnutt, chairman of NCTO and chief executive of Washington, N.C.-based National Spinning Co.