On Anniversary of Recovery Act, U.S. Chamber Highlights Consequences of 'Buy American' Provisions

Requirements Have Stunted and Delayed Projects and Harmed American Companies

WASHINGTON, D.C.—On the one year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today released a report highlighting the consequences of Buy American provisions:

"While the Chamber supported the Recovery Act, we had grave concerns that the Buy American mandates would only cause confusion and harm the efficiency of the plan," said Bruce Josten, the Chamber's executive vice president of Government Affairs. "Unfortunately, one year later our concerns with these provisions have been realized. We must ensure similar provisions are not included in future bills."

"The Buy American rules have had a damaging impact on our trade relations around the world," he said. "With the President's aim of doubling our exports in five years, we cannot and should not be enacting more trade barriers that will make this goal all but impossible."

"The report we are releasing today adds to the mass of information in the public domain highlighting the damaging consequences of restrictions on sourcing efficiently," said Josten. "In a global economy, with our greatest potential for growth outside our borders, we should not be shutting the door on those opportunities."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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