The House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing on Feb.15 to elicit the perspectives of transportation stakeholders on the implementation of new “Buy America” provisions.
Carlos Braceras – executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation – testified on behalf of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) at the hearing.
The other witnesses appearing at this hearing were: Ty Edmondson, CEO of the T. A. Loving Company on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America; Dan Needham, executive vice president – commercial for Nucor Corporation; Brian Enders, vice president of Walbec Group on behalf of the National Asphalt Pavement Association; and Megan Salrin, legislative representative for the United Steelworkers union.
“As you know, a key policy priority included in the IIJA [Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act] pertains to new ‘Build America, Buy America’ requirements,” Braceras – who is also a former president of AASHTO – noted in his testimony.
“AASHTO and the state DOTs remain unwavering in our strong support of the goal to increase America’s manufacturing capacity by creating new domestic jobs and encouraging economic growth; however, we also recognize this transformation can’t occur overnight or with the flip of a switch,” he said. “As such, we firmly believe that a deliberative and practitioner-informed process between government and industry should continue to guide implementation of ‘Buy America’ rules. This will ensure timely, cost-effective investments and successful delivery of critical transportation infrastructure projects funded through the IIJA.”
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