Bill would require state agencies to buy American-made products

LINCOLN, NE – Earlier today, Nebraska State Senator Heath Mello (District 5, South Omaha) announced the introduction of LB 923, a bi-partisan legislative proposal to require the purchase and use of American-made iron, steel, and manufactured goods by Nebraska state agencies.

Based upon concepts proposed by the Alliance for American Manufacturing, a coalition of American manufacturing companies and the United Steelworkers, the “Nebraska Buy American Act” would require that public works contracts by state agencies contain provisions that the manufactured goods used or supplied in performance of the contract be manufactured in the United States. The “Buy American” provisions of the bill would be waived if American-made goods were not available in sufficient quantity, or if the purchase of American-made goods would increase the cost of any contract by more than 10%.

“In addition to helping our existing Nebraska manufacturers, these ‘Buy American’ provisions will help encourage American manufacturers to keep jobs in the United States,” said Mello, “If American manufacturers clearly know that the State of Nebraska will be a stable consumer of American-made goods, they are far more likely to keep their operations in America because of the demand in the marketplace.”

Recent public opinion research conducted by the Alliance for American Manufacturing shows strong bi-partisan support for using American-made goods when taxpayer dollars are on the line. In 2011 national polling, 90% of Americans favored the use of “Buy American” provisions to ensure that taxpayer-funded government projects use only U.S.- made goods and supplies wherever possible.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 10, 2012

For More Information:
Trevor Fitzgerald, Legislative Aide
(402) 471-2710