DELAURO, WOLF WORK TO PROTECT AMERICAN DEFENSE INTERESTS

Washington, DC— Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3) and Frank Wolf (VA-10) praised the adoption of their amendment, which seeks to ensure that the Defense Department does not procure the next presidential helicopter or any other defense system or system components from China, in the FY 2012 National Defense Authorization Act today.

The amendment strengthens the current prohibition on the procurement of defense articles from China to include all entities owned or controlled by, directed by or from, operating with delegated authority from, or affiliated with the Government of China. Additionally, it also requires the Secretary of Defense to provide a report to Congress on any waiver made in the interest of national security 15 days before it is made that includes a plan to develop alternative sources.

"With China making significant progress in the defense and aerospace industries, including a Chinese state-controlled company considering a bid for the contract for the next presidential helicopter, it is critical that we ensure U.S. national security is protected and that the highly skilled jobs and associated technologies in these industries are not outsourced overseas," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "This amendment will help guard American interests, not only for our national security, but also the innovation, job creation, and long-term economic growth in Connecticut and across the country that will allow the United States to remain competitive globally."

"Over the last several years so-called ‘commercial' Chinese companies have sought to compete for DOD contracts. In fact, these Chinese ‘companies' are very much arms of Beijing and the Peoples Liberation Army," Congressman Wolf said. "That is why we believe Congress must act quickly to make clear that it will not support any contract that involves a Chinese state-controlled company for the highly-sensitive presidential helicopter program or any other defense system."