H. Res. 106: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that defense systems, including the helicopter fleet used to transport the President of the United States, should not be procured, directly or indirectly, from an entity controlled, directed, or influenced by the Government of China

February 21, 2011 at 11:23 am | Posted in Aviation Law | Leave a comment

by P.J. Blount with the blog faculty

H. Res. 106: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that defense systems, including the helicopter fleet used to transport the President of the United States, should not be procured, directly or indirectly, from an entity controlled, directed, or influenced by the Government of China was introduced on February 18, 2011 by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT3):

HRES 106 IH

112th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. RES. 106

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that defense systems, including the helicopter fleet used to transport the President of the United States, should not be procured, directly or indirectly, from an entity controlled, directed, or influenced by the Government of China.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 18, 2011

Ms. DELAURO (for herself, Mr. WOLF, Mr. MANZULLO, Mr. RYAN of Ohio, Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut, Mr. MICHAUD, Mr. DINGELL, Mr. CRITZ, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. LIPINSKI, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. MCGOVERN, and Ms. PINGREE of Maine) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that defense systems, including the helicopter fleet used to transport the President of the United States, should not be procured, directly or indirectly, from an entity controlled, directed, or influenced by the Government of China.

Whereas consideration is underway for the procurement of the new presidential helicopter (VXX) fleet utilized to transport the President of the United States, commonly known as `Marine One’;

Whereas the procurement contract will involve the purchase of multiple helicopters and future purchases of spare parts and services will occur over the life of the program;

Whereas the Chinese state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) is reportedly considering a bid for the presidential helicopter (VXX) contract, potentially as part of a venture with a United States entity;

Whereas AVIC is a Chinese state-controlled company which is under the direction and control of the Government of China;

Whereas the safety and security of the President is of paramount concern and must not be ceded to a foreign nation or entity;

Whereas the acquisition of a Chinese state-controlled product would set a dangerous precedent for defense acquisitions;

Whereas the United States is under no international treaty obligation to consider a bid by a Chinese entity as China is not party to the World Trade Organization’s Government Procurement Agreement;

Whereas the United States is the leading international supplier of helicopters and has proven innovative designs, capabilities, and craftsmanship;

Whereas unemployment in the United States continues at unacceptable levels and the domestic manufacturing base continues to face significant challenges;

Whereas the procurement of United States defense systems, including the presidential helicopter fleet, will create numerous jobs as well as short- and long-term demand for products and replacement parts from the contracting entity;

Whereas domestic productive capacity and workers exist to fulfill the contractual needs of the United States Government for this procurement; and

Whereas domestic production of defense systems, including the presidential helicopter fleet, will result in the highest quality and safest products, as well as control and high confidence in the production and supply network involved in production: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That–

(1) it is the sense of the House of Representatives that–

(A) the Department of Defense should not consider any bid for the procurement of the helicopter fleet used to transport the President of the United States, or any components, that involve, directly or indirectly, any entity controlled, directed, or influenced by the Government of China; and

(B) funding should not be made available for the procurement of the helicopter fleet used to transport the President, or any future defense system acquisition, including components, that involve, directly or indirectly, any entity controlled, directed, or influenced by the Government of China; and

(2) the House of Representatives–

(A) recognizes the importance and vital role of the United States aerospace industry and its workers in innovation, job creation, and long-term economic growth that will allow the United States to remain globally competitive; and

(B) urges the Department of Defense to limit its procurement of the new presidential helicopter (VXX) fleet utilized to transport the President and any other defense system acquisition to products manufactured in the United States with the maximum amount of parts made in the United States, or from allied nations as necessary.