Stabenow Introduces Legislation Requiring Trump Administration to Release Buy American Reports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today introduced the Keep Buying American Act of 2018 (S. 3006) requiring the federal agencies covered by President Trump’s April 2017 Buy American executive order to publicly release reports on how they are complying with our nation’s Buy American laws. These reports should contain recommendations to strengthen compliance with Buy American laws to protect American workers and manufacturers. They are not currently available to the public or to Members of Congress. U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) cosponsored today’s legislation.

“Our Michigan workers and manufacturers can out-build, out-work, and out-think anyone but they need a level playing field to succeed,” said Senator Stabenow. “The public has a right to see these reports that will show if our Buy American laws are working, and if they’re not, what actions we need to take to strengthen them.”

In May 2018, Senator Stabenow called on President Trump to immediately release the Buy American reports called for in his executive order. The Commerce Department has confirmed that the reports have been submitted to the White House, but the agency has no obligation to release them to the public.

Stabenow has championed efforts to strengthen our nation’s Buy American laws and last year introduced legislation to close loopholes in 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.