US lawmakers face gridlock on "buy America" provisions in the 2004 defence authorisation bill. Critics are bracing for a battle against the resurgent movement, even if the measure is defeated. The bill is now behind the closed doors of a House-Senate conference committee. The "buy America" provision, sponsored by Representative Duncan Hunter, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, is only one of several controversial issues stalling the debate. Critics believe Hunter's proposal could endanger dozens of weapons programmes that rely on foreign suppliers or customers, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Hunter proposes to strengthen "buy America" by raising the minimum US content in weapons from 50% to 65% and banning foreign machine tools.
Source: Flight International
