US contractors decry Biden’s “Buy America” guidelines

US construction contractors with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America are lambasting President Joe Biden’s guidelines requiring the use of domestic steel for federal infrastructure projects, Kallanish reports.

According to the AGC, the strengthening of Buy America provisions will undermine the increased funding granted by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“It makes no sense to place unrealistic limitations on firms’ ability to source key materials at a time when prices for those products are skyrocketing and supplies are limited. Supply chain shortages are already prompting firms to avoid bidding on new projects,” says AGC ceo Stephen Sandherr.

In contrast to the construction industry, President Biden’s guidelines have received applause from several representatives of the domestic steel industry (see related story).

Zach Johnson USA