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The IAM, the largest U.S. aerospace and defense union, is again sounding the alarm to increase the domestic production of major defense programs.
As consideration of the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) continues, IAM International President Robert Martinez Jr. is calling for Senators to support a bipartisan amendment that would gradually raise Buy American requirements on major defense programs from 55% to 75% by 2029.
“For far too long we have neglected to properly consider the impact of defense procurement policy on our domestic industrial base and, consequently, on the U.S. economy,” wrote Martinez in a letter to U.S. Senators. “We must understand that the foundation of our industrial base lies with the skills and abilities of the American worker.”
Earlier this year, the increased Buy American language passed in the House FY 2024 NDAA after again being championed by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.). U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) is leading the charge to pass the bipartisan amendment in the Senate.
“This sorely needed language would help create countless high-quality defense manufacturing jobs across the United States, dramatically strengthen our domestic industrial base and ensure that our men and women in uniform have the tools they need to effectively complete their mission,” wrote Martinez.
