WASHINGTON — The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) applauded the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) for approving, last week, three bipartisan bills that strengthen Buy America rules more than any legislation has in decades. CPA has long-supported efforts to update current law in order to maximize the U.S. content in the goods and services that federal agencies buy directly or support through assistance to states or private companies.
“We applaud the Senate Homeland Security Committee for advancing these historic bills and supporting U.S. producers and workers,” said CPA Chairman Zach Mottl. “The bills are enormously important improvements to federal Buy America rules that will reshore supply chains and increase wages. It’s crucial that these three bipartisan bills are included in any China or infrastructure package considered by Congress for final passage.”
“The Senate Homeland Security Committee is moving to plug major loopholes and greatly expand the coverage of Buy America rules by approving these bipartisan bills,” said Michael Stumo, CEO of CPA. “Congress and the Biden administration are absolutely right to focus on investing in our nation’s infrastructure and passing legislation to win against China. These Buy America provisions are crucial to making sure taxpayer dollars are actually supporting American workers and companies—rather than companies in China and other countries. To truly Build Back Better, Congress should pass these three bills and President Biden should sign them into law.”
The following bipartisan bills passed HSGAC:
- The Make PPE in America Act (S. 1306) — introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of HSGAC — will strengthen efforts to onshore production of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States by requiring federal agencies to issue long-term contracts for American-made PPE.
- The BuyAmerican.gov Act — introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) — will establish a centralized online hub to increase transparency and ensure federal agencies prioritize the purchase of American-made goods in compliance with existing law.
- The Build America, Buy America Act, introduced by Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would apply Buy America rules to all taxpayer-funded infrastructure and public works projects — ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are used to buy American-made iron, steel, and manufactured products for any federally funded infrastructure projects.
Read more from CPA on why these bipartisan bills are a major positive in expanding Buy America rules to all federal assistance.
