WTBA and other construction organizations sent a letter to Wisconsin's Congressional delegation this week outlining concerns with Buy America provisions that could result in material shortages and price increases. Current Buy America proposals include a requirement that all manufacturing processes for construction materials purchased through federal programs occur in the United States. This means that some imported construction material inputs such as asphalt binder and additives, cement, and aggregate would be prohibited in Wisconsin projects. If enacted as currently written, these proposals will likely result in material shortages, significant cost increases, project delays and cancellations, and the loss of Wisconsin jobs.
It urges the state's Congressional delegation to support an exemption for construction materials in any Buy America provisions, as has been the case for many years regardless of the administration's political leanings.