WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Jon Husted (R-OH) introduced the Paving the Way for American Industry Act. This bipartisan legislation extends Buy American preference to the yellow pigment used in road, highway, and airport surface markings.
“From the cars we own, to the yellow pigment that marks the roads we drive, I want it made right here in America,” said Senator Slotkin. “Our bipartisan bill, the Paving the Way for American Industry Act ensures that preference is given to pigments manufactured in Michigan, not China.”
“From the roads we drive on to the materials that make them safe, the Paving the Way for American Industry Act is about bringing American manufacturing back home and making sure the products we rely on every day are proudly Made-in-America,” said Senator Husted. “This bill would keep taxpayer dollars at home, support Ohio businesses and reinforce that you can’t have Made-in-America without Made-in-Ohio.”
“USW members proudly make a wide range of products necessary to sustain our critical infrastructure,” said USW District 1 Director Donnie Blatt. “This includes the yellow paint pigments that go into striping on American roads that our members at Sun Chemical manufacture. Our union applauds Sen. Slotkin’s work to update our procurement laws and ensure that our tax dollars benefit our communities and support good, community-sustaining jobs.”
The manufacturing of this yellow pigment has been largely outsourced to China, though there are manufacturing sites in the United States, including in Muskegon County, Michigan. The Paving the Way for American Industry Act ensures that American made pigments are given preference over Chinese-made pigments.
The full text of the bill is available here.
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