Dear John,

This week, Senators Tammy Baldwin and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the bipartisan Invent Here, Make Here for Homeland Security Act to ensure that products invented by taxpayer-funded research are manufactured in the United States.

While current law requires the manufacturing of products stemming from federally funded research to be made in the U.S., the requirement is routinely waived for products to be manufactured overseas. Senator Baldwin's legislation would require any waivers to be issued in accordance with the new Buy America reporting requirements passed in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“To me, it is simple: If American taxpayers funding the research that leads to an invention, American manufacturers should be making the products,” said Senator Baldwin. “Building on our Buy America standards we championed in the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, our Invent Here, Make Here Act will create and sustain good paying jobs here at home and ensure that the high-tech products are Made in America.”

Senator Baldwin's bipartisan legislation specifically addresses the products invented as a result of funding provided by the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T). The Invent Here, Make Here for Homeland Security Act would also prohibit these taxpayer-funded inventions from being manufactured in foreign countries like China, North Korea, Iran, or Russia.