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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today blasted the Army Corps of Engineers for rejecting her call to comply with federal regulations and support American manufacturers.

“For more than half a century, Congress has been clear that taxpayer dollars should be spent on products manufactured here at home, not overseas. Doing so not only protects American jobs, but also reinforces our national security,” DelBene said. “It is unacceptable that the Army Corps is continuing to ignore federal regulations and Congress’ clear intent. I hope the Corps reconsiders its decision and complies with the law, because I will keep fighting for U.S. manufacturers and workers until they make the right choice.”

Current rules require military agencies to purchase anchor and mooring chain from American manufacturers unless granted a waiver. Last year, DelBene added an amendment to the 2016 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill to make clear this requirement applies to the Army Corps of Engineers, after learning that Army Corps contracts have been awarded to suppliers of imported foreign chain — primarily from China — which is explicitly prohibited.

But two weeks ago, the Army Corps disregarded federal regulations by awarding another contract to a supplier of foreign-made anchor chain. DelBene wrote a letter demanding the Army Corp reverse course, but received a response from Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy on April 13, that it will move forward with purchasing the imported chain.

Washington’s First District is home to Lister Chain and Forge, a business that produces 100 percent American-made anchor and mooring chain. It employs 25 Blaine residents.

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