Congress is considering the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019. This legislation authorizes spending for the U.S. military.
Among proposed amendments to the NDAA are one to require the Department of Defense to use U.S.-made flatware and another to require domestic sourcing for dinner ware within the Department of Defense.
These amendments have nothing to do with U.S. defense needs, but instead are designed to benefit politically connected businesses.
The flatware amendment was submitted by Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), who noted: “Our district is the proud home to Sherrill Manufacturing, the only flatware manufacturer producing 100 percent Made in America flatware.” The dinnerware amendment was submitted by Rep. David McKinley (R-WV), whose district includes the largest domestic tableware manufacturer in the United States.
These amendments are similar to earmarks, which allow lawmakers to provide targeted benefits to their constituents.
The Department of Defense should be free to buy the best-made products at the best prices. Determinations about where to source forks and plates should remain in the hands of defense procurement experts based on how to best supply the military, and should not be influenced by earmark-style politics.