Invest in American Jobs Act Strengthens “Buy America” Provisions for Investments in Transportation and Infrastructure Projects
ERIE, PA – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) visited Erie today to push his legislation that would ensure that taxpayer dollars are used to buy American-made goods. The Invest in American Jobs Act would give preference to American-made steel, iron, and manufactured goods used to construct projects financed by taxpayers.
Standing with United Steelworkers representatives at the State Street Dobbins Landing bridge construction site, Senator Casey made the case that having the federal government buy American goods will create jobs and boost Pennsylvania’s economy.
“Any time the federal government provides resources to invest in infrastructure its components should be stamped with the words ‘Made in America,’” Senator Casey said. “Buying American-made goods will help rebuild our crumbling infrastructure and create jobs in Pennsylvania instead of countries like China.”
Senator Casey introduced the Invest in American Jobs Act with Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH). Specifically, the bill would:
- Strengthen existing Buy America requirements for investments in highway, bridge, public transit, rail, and aviation infrastructure and equipment to ensure that all of the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in these projects is produced in the United States;
- Apply Buy America to other transportation and infrastructure investments, including rail infrastructure grants, loans, and loan guarantees, and Clean Water State Revolving Fund grants; and
- Require Federal agencies to justify any proposed waiver of the Buy America requirements and ensures that the American public has notice of and an opportunity to comment on any proposed waiver prior to it taking effect.
A University of Massachusetts study recently found that a 100 percent domestic preference on infrastructure spending increases job creation by 33 percent.
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