More Foolish Legislation from Charlie Wilson: H.R.5935 American Steel First Act

From the office of Rep. Charlie Wilson 6^th-OH:

“Today Rep. Wilson, Rep. English and Rep. Peter Visclosky (IN-1), along with other Members of Congress, introduced the American Steel First Act. This legislation would require that federally funded construction projects under the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation and Department of Homeland Security use 100-percent American steel.

“‘This just makes common sense,’ Wilson said. ‘Tax payers shouldn't have to subsidize projects that then force their jobs overseas.’

“DHS reported that it had followed the provisions of the Buy America Act which requires that 50 percent of the project materials be domestic content. Bolt testified DHS offered his Congressional Representative, Rep. Phil English (PA-3), a creative alternative when English continued to push for a response. ‘The agency suggested they would send someone to that section of the fence and use black spray paint to cover up the ‘made in China' identifying stencils on the pipe,’ Bolt said in the hearing.

“‘A little spray paint may cover up a federal embarrassment but it won't bring thousands of lost jobs back to this country,’ Wilson said. ‘A strong and viable U.S. steel industry is critical to America's infrastructure, national economic security and homeland security.’”

Comment: This bill is completely moronic and will only add to a greater delay of the wall being constructed along the border of Mexico, thus causing greater illegal immigration and a higher threat of terrorism, more bureaucracy for the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, and greater government spending, not to mention higher taxes. It will not increase any jobs for Americans nor help our emaciated steel industry, these silly feel good measures never do.

If Mr. Wilson wanted to do something for the steel industry, America's infrastructure, national economic security, and homeland security he should first look at removing those impediments that harm U.S. businesses like high taxes, and overly cumbersome government regulations. Or how about getting rid of the national income tax and repealing the 16^th Amendment; that would have an exponential benefit for both business and US citizens. But that would require out of the box thinking from our political class. Truly, out of the box thinking is in short supply from both major parties.

Wake up Charlie; stop being a hinderer to America and start being a contributor!