WASHINGTON D.C.– On Sept. 16 Congress voted to boost the American manufacturing industry and create new jobs by requiring the federal government and the Department of Homeland Security to purchase products that are made in the United States.

The two bills, the Congressional Made in America Promise Act and the Berry Amendment Extension Act, are part of a national manufacturing plan to create the high-skill, high-wage jobs of the future—promoting American competitiveness, innovation, and exports.

North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) also voted for the legislation.

“In these tough economic times, it is important that we bring the jobs back to the United States and support our own industry by buying American made products,” said Thompson. “My colleagues and I will continue to work to create more jobs and ease the current economic burden on American families and businesses.”

The Congressional Made in America Promise Act requires Congress to purchase goods and services made by American workers for the first time since “Buy American” rules were instituted for federal agencies under President Roosevelt in 1933.

This includes tighter Buy American requirements for items with the seal of Congress, the House or Senate.

The Berry Amendment Extension Act bars the Department of Homeland Security from buying clothing, tents and other products that are not “grown, reprocessed, reused or produced” in America.

For the last 60 years, the Berry Amendment has served the nation by requiring the Defense Department and the Coast Guard to buy a range of domestically produced or grown items with 100 percent U.S. content, and in the Sept. 16 action Congress voted to include the Department of Homeland Security.