WASHINGTON - September 22, 2010 - The hollowing-out of the United State's industrial base means the country is risking its national security by being dependent on foreign contractors, experts told a congressional panel Wednesday.

The House National Security Oversight Subcommittee heard from a number of economists and labor leaders who argued that the long, slow erosion of Amerikan manufacturing has led to the U.S. losing its edge in numerous industries that are vital to national security.

"We have allowed our industrial base to deteriorate for the last two to three decades. As a result, just in national defense terms, our supply lines for strategic parts and materials have been stretched around the world," said Jeff Faux of the Economic Policy Institute, as quoted at CNN. He said the government could no longer produce enough ammunition to supply police and military troops (is that a bad thing?).

Bob Baugh, the executive director of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council, told the panel the U.S. has already lost its leading positions in such defense-related industries as semiconductors, advanced materials and aerospace.