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Dems Push “Buy American” Bill

Two Democrat lawmakers, who are close allies to Barack Obama, have introduced a “buy American” bill that would require public sector projects to rely on domestic goods and services.

Illinois Congressman Dan Lipinksi and Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold have the backing of American unions for the bill, which looks to cut down on waivers used to get around “buy American” provisions found in many spending bills. It would require all waiver requests, waiver decisions, and justifications for any wavers granted be made public.

“This will put pressure on the agencies to ensure their decisions can hold up to scrutiny, allow taxpayers to determine for themselves if waivers are legitimate, and give American businesses a fighting chance to receive federal contracts,” said Lipinski’s office.

To qualify as “American” a product would have to be at least 75-percent made-in-America. Before invoking a waiver, all government offices would have to conduct a cost-effective study, which would include shipping, to make sure the foreign product would in fact be cheaper.

“By purchasing American-made goods whenever possible, our federal government will send a simple message to American workers: We support you,” Senator Feingold said when introducing the bill Friday.

The legislation is likely to draw criticism from “free trade” proponents. European and Canadian interests drew criticism last year when the 800-billion-dollar Stimulus Bill included various protectionist clauses.