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5/3/12

Congresswoman Edwards and Congressman Nick Rahall (WV-3), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led 69 Members of Congress in a letter urging President Obama to protect “Buy American” policies in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The 12th round of negotiations for the TPP are set to begin Tuesday, May 8th, between Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam.



“We must buy American to build America, and government procurement policy is no exception,” said Congresswoman Edwards. “We are focused on creating jobs and revitalizing our manufacturing base, and our trade agreements must not take away this important policy tool.  Since 1933, Buy American policies have helped invest large sums of U.S tax dollars to create jobs, grow our economy, and strengthen domestic manufacturing. That is why my 68 colleagues and I urge President Obama to ensure that this trade pact does not limit our rights to spend U.S. tax dollars on U.S. goods and services. Let’s continue to use government procurement to support our manufacturing sector and create good, high-wage American jobs.”
 

To read more, including the letter to President Obama, click here.