Jim Baird: “I support the underlying transportation bill that will put America back to work, relieve congestion on our roadways, and…”

“I support the underlying transportation bill that will put America back to work, relieve congestion on our roadways, and streamline the permitting process. I appreciate the opportunity to speak on behalf of my amendment that will strengthen the Buy America Act. The Nation's unemployment rate continues to hover around 5.6 percent. In a district such as mine, that number is considerably higher. As we all know, the intent of the Buy America law was to ensure that when taxpayer money is spent on direct Federal Government procurement and infrastructure projects, those expenditures will stimulate U.S. production and U.S. job creation. My sense of the Congress resolution is intended to reinforce that commitment. This resolution does not cost the Federal Government any money, but it will help the working men and women in my district and others around this Nation keep their steel jobs and earn a decent living. My resolution will also strengthen our domestic steel industry, which is critical to our national security and ultimately to the future economic success of our country.”