Federal legislation aimed at closing loopholes that allow federal agencies to use waivers to get around Buy American preferences has the support of the American Foundry Society.
The Make It in America Act is designed to ensure that when the government spends taxpayer money, it is reinvested into American workers, companies, and communities instead of being sent overseas. The legislation was introduced this month by a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators.
“We all share the same goal to grow manufacturing, including domestic metalcasting here in the U.S.,” said AFS CEO Doug Kurkul. “The strong Buy America requirements of this bill make certain that taxpayer dollars for federal projects are spent on metal castings and manufactured goods made in America by American workers.”
Key provisions of the Make It in America Act measure include:
- Increasing American-made content from 50 to 75 percent to ensure that manufactured products bought by the federal government are made with American-made components.
- Closing loopholes in Buy American laws that allow federal agencies to use waivers to get around Buy American preferences.
- Requiring each waiver to the Buy American Act be publicly posted online with detailed justifications.
- Creating a new “Made in America Office” within the Office of Management and Budget, charged with reviewing waivers to the Buy American Act and ensuring compliance with other Buy American laws. This office mirrors President Biden’s executive order to create a central office dedicated to enforcing Buy American laws.
- Giving small- and medium-sized American manufacturers the first opportunity to provide products for federally funded transportation projects.
AFS looks forward to working with the bill sponsors Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Mike Braun (R-IN), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in securing passage of the Make It in America Act.