WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) is continuing his push for better Buy America policies that ensure that all taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects are built with American steel and iron by American workers.

Brown is a cosponsor of the Made in America Water Infrastructure Act along with U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). Last week in Wisconsin, President Donald Trump unveiled a new executive order and expressed support for the bill, which would ensure that American steel and iron are used in all projects funded by the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Brown has also introduced legislation with U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) that would expand Buy America to all federally funded infrastructure and public works projects. Now, Brown, Baldwin, and six of their colleagues are calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman John Barroso to support the effort.

“Given the President’s support, we believe it is time for the Senate to act on S. 880—beginning with consideration in the Environment and Public Works Committee,” wrote Brown and his colleagues. “Americans are tired of the status quo in Washington. We look forward to working with you to ensure that our nation’s drinking water infrastructure is built with American materials by moving this legislation through the Senate.”

U.S. Sens. Al Franken (D-MN), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) also signed the letter sent today. A PDF of the letter is available here.

In January, Brown wrote to Trump asking him to make Buy America rules a top priority when in office and introduced Buy America legislation on Trump’s first day in office.

Brown led the fight last Congress to restore Buy America provisions to the water infrastructure bill that would have permanently changed the law to require the use of American-made iron and steel products in infrastructure projects. While Buy America rules apply to some federal infrastructure programs, many taxpayer-funded projects still lack rules requiring the use of American-made products. Brown’s proposed legislation would ensure Buy America rules apply to all federally-assisted projects.

###