America COMPETES Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I am proud to join with Speaker Pelosi and my Democratic colleagues in support of the ``America COMPETES Act''--legislation that holds the promise of preserving America's place as a global economic leader for generations to come.

Enactment of this comprehensive and strategic package of largely bipartisan measures would enhance America's competitiveness on the world economic stage and our security.

This package includes bipartisan legislation advanced by the Committee on Homeland Security that spurs scientific and technological innovation and, at the same time, reduces our dependence on foreign countries by creating incentives for more U.S. manufacturing of critical goods and technology.

The ``America COMPETES Act'' includes legislation offered by my colleague on the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Correa, which passed the House last November. The ``Homeland Procurement Reform Act,'' or ``HOPR Act,'' requires the Department of Homeland Security use least one-third of the funds obligated for uniforms or gear, like vital personal protective equipment, to purchase goods manufactured or supplied by American small businesses to the maximum extent possible.

These provisions would boost domestic sourcing of vital homeland security equipment and supplies, create new opportunities for small businesses, and improve supply chain security.

The vice chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Representative Torres, has also focused on supply chain security. His ``DHS Software Supply Chain Risk Management Act'' is included in the homeland security division of this measure.

This legislation directs DHS to issue Department-wide guidance to improve visibility into the supply chain for software purchased from new and existing contractors. As the lead Federal agency for cybersecurity, it is important that DHS lead by example in aggressively protecting its own networks.

Similarly, Representative Guest's ``Unmanned Aerial Security Act'' ensures the integrity of DHS data by preventing DHS from operating, financing, or procuring unmanned aircraft systems that are manufactured in certain foreign countries that are identified as foreign adversaries by the intelligence community.

Finally, the homeland security division of this measure also includes Representative McEachin's ``Department of Homeland Security Mentor- Protege Program Act,'' which would help build and sustain a reliable pool of small business vendors that could compete for DHS contracts. This program encourages big businesses to help small businesses build their capacity to compete for government contracts, which is incredibly important for woman-, veteran-, and minority-owned firms.

The ``America COMPETES Act'' strengthens our economy, creates good jobs--including good union jobs--and delivers for American families.

Madam Speaker, I congratulate my dear friend, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson, the chair of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee for shepherding this complex bill through the legislative process. I am so pleased we are acting expeditiously on this measure and look forward to working with my partners here and in the Senate to turbo-charge our economy by getting this package signed into law.

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