Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 245 to 169 to approve a "Motion to Instruct Conferees," which directs Members of a House conference committee to close loopholes and strengthen "Buy America" preferences in long-term surface transportation legislation being considered by a House-Senate conference committee.

Specifically, the Motion to Instruct directs conferees to adopt several Senate provisions to strengthen Buy America requirements, including:

•     prohibit segmentation of highway, transit, and Amtrak projects;
•     require opportunities for public notice and comment on waiver requests and publication in the Federal Register before waivers take effect;
•     require review of longstanding waivers for highway and rail projects; and
•     require an annual report on waivers granted by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The U.S. has utilized a preference for American-made goods in highway and transit projects for 30 years. Such legislation has included waivers for instances where a needed material/good is not made in the U.S. or the cost rise above a certain threshold point.

Learn more about Buy America preferences.