Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act to ensure that taxpayer dollars used by Congress support Michigan auto workers and union jobs. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.
Members of Congress receive an annual budget to carry out official duties, which can be used to lease or acquire vehicles for official use. Currently, there is no requirement for those vehicles to be American-made or assembled by union labor, allowing taxpayer funds to be recklessly spent on foreign-made vehicles or those produced with non-union labor.
“Michigan auto workers put the world on wheels, and they deserve to know their elected leaders have their backs,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “This bill makes sure we invest in our American auto industry and the union workers that power it.”
“Michigan union autoworkers fuel our economy and are the backbone of this country. I believe as elected officials, we have an obligation to support them any way we can — and that means not using taxpayer dollars to purchase non-American-made, union-made vehicles,” said Senator Slotkin.
The Make Congress Drive Union Made Act is endorsed by the United Auto Workers (UAW).
“In the labor movement we ask one question of our elected officials: which side are you on?” said UAW Legislative Director Rajiv Sicora. “The Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act would ensure that Members of Congress stand up for the union way of life in their choice of vehicle—supporting the generations of autoworkers who build not only cars, but a better economic future based on solidarity.”
Stevens and Slotkin’s bill reflects their shared Michigan values – strong manufacturing, good-paying jobs, and respect for the workers that power Michigan.
The full text of the bill can be found here.
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