Congress Goes After Counterfeit Chinese Parts, Sort Of

Last month Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., said he would add an amendment to the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that would require Customs and Border Protection inspectors to examine all Chinese electronic components before they enter the country, based on reports that the Defense supply chain is infested with bum parts from China.

The law signed last week by President Obama does contain language on counterfeit parts, but not exactly the bold steps Levin promised with regards to parts from China.

The law calls for the Homeland Security Department to develop "risk based methodology" to target suspicious electronic parts -- a process that seems several steps removed from Customs agents stopping them at the border.

And how long will it take to develop the "risk based methodology," a buzz phrase I imagine will take at least one contract to develop?