U.S. Sen. Bob Casey has introduced a bill to strengthen buy-American provisions for manufactured goods on federally funded highway, bridge, rail, aviation and public transit projects.
The Invest in American Jobs Act would help ensure all steel, iron and other U.S.-made products are used in infrastructure projects, according to a statement from the Pennsylvania senator. The bill also would require similar buy-American provisions to rail infrastructure grants, loans and loan guarantees, as well as Clean Water State Revolving Fund grants.
The bill would require federal agencies to justify waivers of the provision with public notice, comment periods and review.
On Dec. 1, Rep. Nick Rahall, a Democrat from West Virginia, introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives. Rep. Tim Holden, another Democrat representing Dauphin and Lebanon counties, was a co-sponsor on that bill.
