America's bridges and infrastructure-- do we build them in the U.S. or overseas?

The Oakland Bay Bridge is $5.2 billion over budget and several years behind schedule.  California officials had originally tried to save $400 million by contracting for Chinese steel that subsequently proved faulty. 

At a press conference yesterday to launch a national campaign, "Should Be Made in America," Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) Executive Director Scott Paul said of the outsourced steel for the the bridge:

• "...the most egregious example...a stupid, shortsighted decision, and one we hope is never repeated by a governor anywhere or at anytime." (San Jose Mercury News)
• "It was originally designed to save tax dollars, to be more efficient.  It turned out in hindsight to be a horrible decision.  It ended up sourcing steel from a Chinese government- supported fabrication and steel company when those jobs could have been done right here at a reasonable cost to taxpayers.”  (San Francisco Chronicle)
• "It is a symbol of what not to do... as our country begins to invest infrastructure."  (Agence France Presse)

Click here to learn more about "Should Be Made in America."