American Jobs Act of 2011 = Buy American

After reading the America Jobs Act of 2011 legislative proposal the words that resonated to me the most were “BUY AMERICAN”.

 SEC.4. BUY AMERICAN – USE OF AMERICAN IRON, STEEL, AND MANUFACTURED GOODS. 

(a)    None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States.

President Obama did not use the words “Buy American” in his speech because to many the phrase rings of protectionism.  President Obama throughout his political career has favored companies at home.  President Obama has applied a previously unused part of the trade law known as Section 421. This allows U.S. industries or unions to seek protection from "surges" of imports. President Bush nixed the four Section 421 petitions that reached his desk, citing the national economic interest.  Many Americans disapprove of protectionism and the President wisely chose not to use the words “Buy American” in his speech.  The American Jobs Act of 2011 will give American businesses an economic surge at the time when they need it most…NOW.  Politicians that do not support SEC. 4 of this legislative proposal are not pro American businesses and should not be re-elected.  SEC. 4 is located on pages 5 and 6 of the American Jobs Act of 2011.  You can read it for yourself here.  Call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to speak to your representative and let them know you support SEC. 4 BUY AMERICAN.