Senator Stabenow Calls on Trump Administration to Immediately Release Buy American Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today called on the Trump Administration to immediately release the Buy American report mandated in President Trump’s executive order signed on April 18, 2017. The report, which should contain recommendations to strengthen implementation of Buy American laws to protect American workers and manufacturers, was supposed to be completed by November 24, 2017.

“Even though the deadline for completion was not met, I understand that the report was recently finished but is not accessible to the public,” wrote Senator Stabenow. “I urge you to release the report so the public can better understand how Buy American laws are being implemented and what actions Congress can take to uphold Buy American laws that support American manufacturing and workers.”

Stabenow has championed efforts to strengthen our nation’s Buy American laws and last year introduced legislation to close loopholes in the current requirements and hold federal agencies accountable by ensuring they are purchasing products made in the U.S. She also called on President Trump to follow Buy America requirements in any federal infrastructure proposal.

The full text of Senator Stabenow’s letter to President Trump may be found below. 

May 9, 2018

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

I write to ask that your administration immediately release the Buy American report mandated in the “Buy American Hire American” executive order signed on April 18, 2017.

This report was supposed to be completed by November 24, 2017 and submitted to the White House. Even though the deadline for completion was not met, I understand that the report was recently finished but is not accessible to the public. While your executive order does not explicitly say the Secretary of Commerce must release the Buy American report, I urge you to release the report so the public can better understand how Buy American laws are being implemented and what actions Congress can take to uphold Buy American laws that support American manufacturing and workers.

Your executive order was a step toward ensuring that federal procurement funds are used to purchase American-made products and support domestic workers by mandating a government-wide assessment of Buy American compliance. Furthermore, the report should contain recommendations to strengthen implementation of Buy American laws. I sincerely hope you will work with me on this important matter. I look forward to your prompt response.