WASHINGTON -- Apple's chief executive on Tuesday told a US Senate Committee that the company plans to invest $100 million in new computer manufacturing facilities in the US. The remarks were consistent with Tim Cook's pronouncements last December.

In a statement defending Apple's business practices, Cook asserted the company not only is committed to the US, but its reach is felt throughout the supply chain.

Apple, he said, has created "hundreds of thousands of jobs" at its suppliers in the US, about 600,000 directly or indirectly, he said. "Components for iPhones and iPads, for example, are made in Texas, and glass for iPhones comes from Kentucky," he added.

We’re investing $100 million to build a Mac product line here in the U.S. The product will be assembled in Texas, include components made in Illinois and Florida, and rely on equipment produced in Kentucky and Michigan," Cook testified. He made similar comments in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek last December, adding "that Apple will ... be working with people."

An investment of $100 million would be a rounding error for Apple, which spent $9.5 billion in its previous fiscal year for manufacturing and tooling expenses.

Foxconn, Apple's leading supplier, has facilities in Houston, TX, and has discussed adding more plants. A Foxconn subsidiary, Q-Edge, closed a massive factory in Ft. Worth last Spring.

Cook made his remarks to the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in response to criticism that Apple is ducking its taxes.

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