Today, the “Buy America” bill (A-3059) advanced out of the Assembly Budget Committee by a party line vote of 8 to 4. We anticipate that a full Assembly vote will take place as soon as next week on this bill as well as four complimentary pieces of “Buy America” legislation. In order to ensure passage of this package, your voice will be essential.
CLICK HERE to send a direct message to your legislators letting them know that you are counting on them to support “Buy America” legislation, which would create much needed New Jersey jobs and spur economic growth for the region.
We applaud Assemblyman Joseph Egan (D-17), a labor legislator and the Business Manager of IBEW Local 456, and Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan (D-18), who are the two prime sponsors of A-3059 in the Assembly. We also thank our affiliates and progressive grassroots partners for their ongoing support of “Buy America” legislation both inside and outside of committee.
A-3059 would add enforcement mechanisms and transparency to the purchasing process for state and local governments and require these public agencies to procure American made goods where financially feasible. The four other bills (A-3221, A-3280, A-3281, A-3279) would require specific bi-state agencies to purchase certain goods made in America.
New Jersey needs to take proactive steps to create jobs, and “Made in America” legislation accomplishes just that. The state Senate passed this bill with broad bi-partisan support in June 2014, thanks in large part to the support of our union brother from the Iron Workers Local 399 Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-03), who is a prime sponsor in the Senate along with Senator Kevin O’Toole (R-40).
By sending a message to your members of the state Assembly right now, we can ensure that “Buy America” legislation is sent to the governor’s desk as soon as possible. “Made in America” equals Jersey jobs. Please stand with American workers and support this legislation.