Congress Revolts On Obama Plan That Would Ban ‘Buy American’

Trade Reform

A group of 68 House Democrats and one Republican sent a letter to President Barack Obama on Thursday urging him to reconsider an element of the controversial free trade agreement currently being negotiated by the administration. If approved in its current form, the pact would effectively ban “Buy American” policies in government contracting.

Although the deal, known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, has received relatively little media attention in the United States, it has sparked international friction among consumer groups and environmental activists who worry that terms demanded by the Obama administration will eliminate important public protections. Domestically, however, the deal’s primary source of political tension is from a portion that could ban “Buy American” provisions — a restriction that opponents emphasize would crimp U.S. jobs.

There are economic and security reasons for wanting to keep "buy American" policies, especially when public funds or military procurement is involved. It's interesting that there are folks from both parties on both sides of this issue.

There seems to be growing opposition to this treaty from several of the countries involved.

Background on the Trans-Pacific Partnership from Wikipedia