Posted on 04/13/2008 7:58:32 AM PDT by pissant
A group of House Republicans have introduced legislation that would require the State Department to use U.S.-made components for new electronic passports and to assemble the booklets here.
The bill is aimed at improving the security of passports, and points out that all U.S. passports currently use foreign components and are assembled with a computer chip inside the cover in Thailand.
"National security is best served when the manufacture and assembly of United States passports occurs within the borders of the United States," the legislation states.
The bill, introduced earlier this week, also states that the U.S. government must set the highest standards to protect the privacy and security of U.S. passports and that the State Department should safeguard passport production.
"Allowing American passports to be manufactured and assembled overseas raises serious national security concerns," said Rep. Bill Sali, Idaho Republican and a key bill co-sponsor. "Outsourcing work that has the potential to jeopardize the privacy and security of American citizens must be avoided."
Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, who is also a main sponsor, said: "The foreign production of our passports presents significant security concerns, particularly when considering that this form of identification is now a requirement for entry into the U.S.
"There is absolutely no justification for outsourcing our nation"s passport production," Mr. Hunter said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
There are a lot of factories in Thailand. They are quite price competitive with China and Vietnam. I expect even China to begin outsourcing in a few years, as Chinese workers continue to demand higher salaries and better working conditions.
I expect war with the chicoms.
The Bush Administration’s policy here - in trying to save a few bucks makes it too easy for the Democrats to show his so-called War on Terror is a joke. No wonder many of us don’t trust his Patriot Act.
"Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, who is also a main sponsor, said: "The foreign production of our passports presents significant security concerns, particularly when considering that this form of identification is now a requirement for entry into the U.S. "There is absolutely no justification for outsourcing our nation"s passport production," Mr. Hunter said."
WHY...WASN'T THIS MAN CHOSEN FOR PRESIDENT????????????????????????????? OY.
Well, sure, but all future economic and business calculations are based on not going to war.
My personal opinion is that if the chicom leadership does not start the war within 5 years they will no longer be able to absorb the consequences, and will destroy a unified China in the process. That is besides whatever their opponents do to them.
Yes, Congressman Hunter is correct. It is hard to believe that the U.S. is so far behind Thailand that we cannot create these "advanced" technology passports.
From the State Department website, here's the text from a question and answer session where this subject was brought up on March 26th:
Taken Question
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 26, 2008
Assembly of Components of the U.S. Passport
Q: Describe the State Department’s role, if any, in the decision by the Government Printing Office to use a factory in Thailand for assembling the components of U.S. passport. Can the Department reject a manufacturer selected by the GPO?
A: GPO and Department of State employees jointly evaluated proposals from several companies to supply the unprinted passport cover (which contains the chip and antenna and the only part of the passport not produced or assembled by GPO). The GPO/State evaluation committee recommended the two companies selected as there were no American manufacturers who could provide the needed product. GPO signed the contracts with these companies on behalf of the U.S. Government.
Q: When the Department began its e-passport program, were there any American companies that produced the electronic chips needed for those passports?
A: We are not aware of any U.S. companies that made the chips that could satisfy the requirements of the e-Passport Request for Proposal at the time we launched our e-Passport program and we received no acceptable proposals from them.
2008/225
Released on March 26, 2008
Isn't anyone in Washington other than Congressman Hunter just a bit worried that we cannot even produce something as simple as an "advanced" technology booklet cover here in the U.S.?
Very few have any inkling that we are in a world of hurt when it comes to microelectronics manufacturing, after being the world’s leader for decades.
It is a sad state of affairs when the the greatest manufacturing power the world has ever know is no longer capable of producing its own passports.
It is a sign that the world’s greatest military power will not be that for long.
I believed we would not get into a shooting war with China because they had too much money involved with the U.S.
However, we are trying to devalue the dollar. In other words we are trying to force the Chinese to accept pennies on the dollar on the debt we own them. This may be enough to force their hand.
If there is a problem with China it will be within a few months (maybe a couple of years) after the Olympics.
I think we should subcontract it to a local El Paso firm and then allow them to employ anyone (illegals) they want....../s
Well,.....not exactly a ‘war’. It will be a confrontation over Taiwan, and we will get our asses there collectively handed to us....the Democratic President will reliquish America’s reign over the Pacific, and China will then be the undisputed world dominant power. They are simply out spending us on their military (what we did to the Russkies), and they can back up the manpower with 10 times what we have. Simple logistics.
By devalueing the dollar we have made every competitive, solid US corporation a wonderful buy. 30% OFF We should be smiling though. Never have we ever gotten such a thorough screwing from anyone.
BTT!
You know, just because Duncan said he “liked” Huckabee doesn’t mean that he has lousy policies—he doesn’t. I’ve made my decision. I don’t care if it’s a throwaway vote, because it isn’t—I’m writing in Duncan for prez.
B4DH
I'll bet the chip that vets implant in your dogs neck to help find him if he's lost is Made In America
The GAO's excuse is baloney. Wanna bet some Democrat pols brother has a 60% interest in the Thailand operation. Or maybe its Diane Fienstein's husband!
Why? Because he couldn’t get the gazillions of dollars it takes nowadays to hang in and buy all the exhorbitant media time to compete What a system. Yes, I loved Duncan Hunter, and Tom Tancredo was great as well. The two best got forced out because of lack of funds. What a shame.
Thailand? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to have the chicoms make them?”
Interesting article, since the Government Printing Office (GPO) has denied strongly that any passports are farmed out to any other part of the world.
I think this has been going on for some time, and that it is at the root of the woman in charge of the passports quitting a few days ago.
Yep. That’s exactly what I was getting at. I knew why, I’m just still embarrassed for America about the answer.
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