Senate Buy America bill introduced: Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) statement

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The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) today expressed strong support for S.2737, the Invest in American Jobs Act of 2014, introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH).  The bill would improve Buy America preferences for federally-funded infrastructure projects by closing loopholes, increasing transparency, and extending coverage across new federal infrastructure programs.

Said AAM President Scott Paul: 

We commend Sen. Brown for introducing legislation to maximize Buy America coverage on all forms of infrastructure spending.  Our Buy America laws ensure that hard-earned tax dollars support good, quality manufacturing jobs right here at home. Congress knows that voters want their tax dollars spent on American-made goods for infrastructure investment whenever possible.  This Buy America bill is good, common-sense legislation.

The Invest in American Jobs Act recognizes that, currently, tax dollars spent on certain infrastructure projects are not subject to Buy America preferences. As a result, domestic manufacturers pay taxes and comply with federal standards for clean air, clean water, and plant safety, yet foreign producers get rewarded with business on taxpayer-financed infrastructure projects.

AAM supports Sen. Brown’s push for consistent coverage and transparency in the Buy America waiver process.  The bill allows U.S. workers and companies to comment on any requested waivers before they are granted.

According to polling conducted for AAM, four out of five voters favor spending state and federal tax dollars on American-made goods whenever possible, with 67 percent strongly in favor. Research conducted by the University of Massachusetts – Amherst (PERI) found that maximizing domestic content in public works projects can increase manufacturing job gains by 33 percent.