ASA Urges Biden Administration to Delay Construction Material Requirements in Infrastructure Law
This week, ASA, along with the AGC, sent a letter to Senior Advisor to the President for Infrastructure Coordination, Mitch Landrieu, regarding our concerns about the new Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) requirements for construction materials included in the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA). Before these requirements take effect, it is critical that the U.S. Department of Transportation conduct thorough analyses of domestic manufacturing capabilities, provide sufficient opportunity for public comment on draft rules, and provide adequate time for public and private entities to adjust and learn final rules. To accomplish the necessary work, the Administration should extend the 180-day BABAA waiver to ensure that, in the meantime, projects are not needlessly delayed. Rushing through this process could further drive inflation and result in significant delays to projects that will facilitate the enhanced movement of people and goods that, in turn, will help improve the nation’s constrained supply chain.