FLASHBACK: On July 11, 2008, Four Years Ago, Obama Promised To Spend Funds On Advanced Technology Cars, Trucks And SUVs “So That The Jobs And Industries Of The Future Are Created Right Here In The United States Of America.” OBAMA: “Fourth, we’ll use our clean energy fund to invest over $1 billion a year to re-tool and modernize our factories and build the advanced technology cars, trucks and SUVs of the future - so that the jobs and industries of the future are created right here in the United States of America.” (Senator Barack Obama, Remarks At A Campaign Event, Dayton, OH, 7/11/08)

Yet Nearly Half Of The $2.4 Billion Obama Spent On Advanced Vehicle Batteries Went To Foreign Companies

Nearly Half Of Obama’s $2.4 Billion Devoted To Advanced Vehicle Batteries Went To Foreign Companies. “Nearly half of the $2.4 billion in federal grant money awarded Wednesday to stimulate the U.S. economy and boost the production of hybrid and electric vehicles went to six companies with ties to places as far away as Russia, China, South Korea and France. … But because so few American companies have the necessary technology, much of the money will initially go toward manufacturing electric vehicle batteries overseas.”  (Jerry Seper, “Obama Sends Stimulus Aid To Foreign Firms,” The Washington Times, 8/6/09)

Two Stimulus-Backed Battery Manufacturing Facilities Hired Foreign Workers

Dow Kokam Received A $161 Million Stimulus Award To Build An Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Facility In Midland, MI. (“Grants - Award Summary: Dow Kokam MI, LLC,” Recovery.gov, Accessed 6/27/12)

In December 2011, Dow Kokam Admitted That More Than 180 Korean Nationals Were Setting Up And Testing Equipment At The Stimulus-Funded Battery Plant. “More than 180 Korean nationals are in Midland helping set up and test equipment at the Dow Kokam battery plant, but company officials say the workers are not here for the long haul. ‘These workers, who are Korean nationals, are not employees or contractors of Dow Kokam and will only be at the facility until the warranty runs on the equipment are complete.’ Dow Kokam spokeswoman Kristina Schnepf said in a release.” (Kathryn Lynch-Morin, “Company Official Says Korean Workers At Dow Kokam For Installation Only, Not For Long Term,” Michigan Live, 12/13/11)

• Union Officials Complained That With 29 Percent Unemployment Among Construction Workers, The Installation Of Equipment Could Have Been Done By Americans. “Still, area union officials say the work could be done by local trades men and women. ‘To blatantly say these are high tech installation jobs, and cannot be performed by Michigan Tradesmen is a bending of the truth,’ said William Borch, upstate business agent for Ironworkers Local 25. ‘The rate of unemployment for Michigan construction workers is near 29 percent and Midland’s neighboring Isabella County has the highest unemployment rate in the state. It is hard to believe that we allow this travesty.’” (Kathryn Lynch-Morin, “Company Official Says Korean Workers At Dow Kokam For Installation Only, Not For Long Term,” Michigan Live, 12/13/11)

• “The Unions Insist They’ve Seen Foreign Workers Doing The Very Jobs Americans Could Do.” ”The unions insist they’ve seen foreign workers doing the very jobs Americans could do. ‘The thing that was alarming to us was that there are people actually doing the work out there, installing the machinery, doing electrical work, piping work, mill right work, installing the machines in this plant,’ Mangione said.” (Sharyl Attkisson, “Unions Say Foreign Workers Taking Stimulus Jobs,” CBS News , 4/13/12)

Dow Kokam Was Among Two Korean Battery Manufacturers That Got Taxpayer Funds And Then “Bought A Lot Of Korean Equipment And Supplies. And They Filled Some Of Those Sought-After Jobs With Korean Workers.” “In 2010, Obama and Vice President Biden personally appeared to break ground at two Michigan plants. The plants were getting a combined $300 million under the stimulus program to build electric car batteries. But as it turns out the companies getting all those American tax dollars are largely owned by Koreans. They bought a lot of Korean equipment and supplies. And they filled some of those sought-after jobs with Korean workers. That drew anger from local labor unions. They say pictures, taken inside the plants show Korean nationals doing hands-on work that should be done by Americans.” (Sharyl Attkisson, “Unions Say Foreign Workers Taking Stimulus Jobs,” CBS News , 4/13/12)

• In A Response To A Freedom Of Information Act From The Unions, The Obama Administration Admitted That 11 Of The 18 Contractors Working At The Site Were Asian Firms. “The unions wrote complaint letters to the Labor Department and the president, but got few answers. So they filed a Freedom of Information Act request. In it, they asked for payroll records of LG Chem contractors performing construction work. The government’s response named 18 companies; at least 11 of them are Asian firms. Energy Department officials say they’re confident all laws are being obeyed, but declined our interview request to talk about foreign workers on stimulus jobs.” (Sharyl Attkisson, “Unions Say Foreign Workers Taking Stimulus Jobs,” CBS News , 4/13/12)
• Dow Kokam Will Not Release A Grand Total Of The Number Of Foreign Workers At The Stimulus-Funded Battery Plant. “‘The companies, LG Chem and Dow Kokam, wouldn’t agree to interviews. but they told CBS News the Korean workers are temporary and legal and have “unique … expertise (with) highly sophisticated equipment.’ But just how many there are remains a mystery. The companies won’t tell us. Dow Kokam acknowledged 150 on site last December, but won’t give a grand total.” (Sharyl Attkisson, “Unions Say Foreign Workers Taking Stimulus Jobs,” CBS News , 4/13/12)

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