April 20, 2022   

NEMA Statement on Buy America Requirements for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Projects

In response to the April 18th White House guidance for domestic sourcing of projects funded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) President and CEO Debra Phillips issued the following statement:

“NEMA recognizes that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the country’s infrastructure through digitalization, automation and electrification of our economy. However, its successful implementation requires a reliable, resilient supply chain.

As U.S. manufacturers are facing ongoing, global supply chain disruptions, sustained tariffs, and higher prices for goods and products, NEMA urges the Office of Management and Budget to work with federal agencies and industry partners to carefully consider how to best implement Buy America(n) requirements to alleviate these challenges while supporting sustainable, high paying jobs domestically.

NEMA is reviewing the proposed requirements and will share specific suggestions to avoid supply-chain driven delays on the promise of creating an accessible, electrified transportation system, modernizing buildings and lighting, building a more resilient grid, and increasing efficiency of manufacturing.”

Last week, NEMA sent a letter to OMB Director Young and Made in America Director Drake with NEMA’s detailed requests on how the IIJA Buy America(n) provisions should be implemented to maximize the historic opportunity to rebuild our nation’s infrastructure.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents nearly 325 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Our combined industries account for 370,000 American jobs in more than 6,100 facilities covering every state. These industries produce $130 billion in shipments and $38 billion in exports of electrical equipment and medical imaging technologies per year.