Sen. Franken: “Buy America” Iron and Steel Provision for Water Infrastructure Projects Must be Made Permanent

Franken Says He’s Disappointed That Water Infrastructure Bill Extends Bipartisan “Buy America” Provision Only Until Next Year; Calls for a Permanent Extension to Help Support Minnesota Workers, Businesses, Iron Range

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — Sen. Al Franken said he is disappointed that a job-creating provision to require the use of American-made iron and steel in major U.S. water infrastructure projects is on the chopping block next year instead of being made permanent.

When it passed the Senate in September, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) included a permanent, bipartisan “Buy America” provision, which would support Minnesota’s Iron Range workers by ensuring that U.S. iron and steel is used in projects funded through the federal Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. But today, House-Senate negotiators in Congress released final details for the bill, which sets “Buy America” on course to expire at the end of 2017.

“When we use American-made iron and steel to build our infrastructure projects, we’re supporting Minnesota jobs, families, and entire communities-especially on the Iron Range,” said Sen. Franken.“I pushed hard to make ‘Buy America’ a permanent fixture of our water infrastructure, which is why I’m really disappointed that Congressional negotiators failed to truly extend this important provision. American iron and steel workers deserve long-term certainty and support and I’m going to keep fighting to give it to them.”

Sen. Franken has long championed “Buy America” provisions, which are based on the basic principle that when we spend federal taxpayer dollars on public infrastructure projects, American businesses and workers should do the work. “Buy America” rules have provided the foundation for millions of miles of roads, bridges, light rail and subways, and millions of good-paying jobs.

Source: Sen. Al Franken