Steel Markets
AAM Poll Shows Americans Want Action on Infrastructure
Written by Sandy Williams
April 10, 2019
A new national poll shows that voters want infrastructure to be the top priority for Congress and the president, says the Alliance for American Manufacturing.
In the AAM national survey conducted by the Mellman Group and Public Opinion Strategies, 80 percent of 1,200 likely voters in the 2020 general election chose repairing roads, bridges, water systems and critical infrastructure, using American workers and products, as the top policy priority. The issue received broad support across party lines and demographics.
Along party lines, 83 percent of Democrats rated infrastructure repair using American workers and products as a top priority, tied with climate change and healthcare. Republicans were tied at 84 percent on repairing infrastructure and increasing border security.
Voters said, by a 4-to-1 margin, that taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects should give preference to “Buy America” rather than lowest bidder and favored strengthening the laws to ensure that all projects and products are covered.
During a press call this week, AAM President Scott Paul and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis) expressed their support for rebuilding America with American products and highlighted the lack of action by the administration and Congress on the issue.
“Our bridges are crumbling; our roads are sinking; and our water systems are toxic,” said Paul. “The need for rebuilding America is all around us, and voters demand action now. The president has boasted about trillions for infrastructure but hasn’t delivered. Meanwhile, Congress has been too slow to respond. Voters rightfully don’t feel anyone in Washington has paid a great deal of attention to their top priority. Voters also make it clear that infrastructure investment must support American workers, jobs and suppliers. Our elected officials owe Americans the commitment that their hard-earned tax dollars will benefit their communities, not foreign state-owned companies or suppliers.”
Sen. Baldwin added: “I strongly believe American workers should build our infrastructure with American products, and taxpayers’ money should not be spent to support foreign workers. Both parties should be able to find common ground on this common sense, Buy America promise to our workers and manufacturers.”
Sandy Williams
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