On Thursday, Democratic Congressman from California John Garamendi announced two new Make It In America bills. His bills, H.R. 6216, the Make It In America, Create Transportation Manufacturing Jobs in America Act, and H.R. 6217, the Make It In America, Create Clean Energy Manufacturing Jobs Act, would raise the federal minimum of 66 percent American content to 85 percent, phased over three years. This level is in line with feasible bids received for new rail cars at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Agency (LAMTA). Garamendi previously introduced two similar bills that required 100 percent American content, and the new bills reflect substantial industry, public agency, and labor input.
"I can say with confidence that my new Make It In America bills are practical and reasonable, because an 85 percent Made In America requirement is in line with price-competitive feasible bids for new cars at BART and LAMTA," Congressman Garamendi said. "It's time for Congress to end the excuses and to give these jobs bills the up-or-down vote on the House floor that they deserve. We're not just debating a piece of legislation; we're debating whether to create millions of jobs with a painless change in policy."