In a poll by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Alliance for American Manufacturing, Americans overwhelmingly support federal requirements for American-made materials in all federally funded infrastructure investment in the 2009 economic recovery bill.
The national poll found 84% favor "Buy American" requirements (66% strongly, 18% somewhat). Only 4% strongly oppose the requirement and % somewhat oppose it. The overwhelming support was consistent regardless of gender, age, income level, education, or region.
"Buy American is a good deal for taxpayers and workers," said AAM Executive Director Scott Paul. "U.S. taxpayers understand the issue at hand. Buy American is longstanding U.S. policy and consistent with our international trade obligations. The Senate should pass economic recovery legislation as soon as possible with Buy American requirements intact and reflect the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans.
"We know that Buy American enables us to create 33% more manufacturing jobs. That's why we are confident that at the end of the legislative process, the Obama Administration and Congress will agree to strong Buy American provisions."
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) is a non-partisan, non-profit partnership of several leading U.S. manufacturers and the United Steelworkers. More information on Buy America' issues is available at http://www.americanmanufacturing.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/fyi_factonbuyamerica.pdf.
