Senate rejects McCain's amendment to kill 'Buy American' clause

[Thrill]

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf reports: Senators agreed by voice vote tonight to clarify that the "Buy American" provision in the Senate's version of the stimulus package should comply with existing treaties.

Then they rejected by a 31-65 vote a proposal by Sen. John McCain to strip the "Buy American" language from the bill. There is no such language in the House-passed stimulus.

McCain warned that the "Buy American" requirement for stimulus funds has "echoes of the disastrous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act," which many believe exacerbated the Great Depression.

McCain asked unanimous consent that "the comments of literally ever leader in the world (including President Obama)" opposing the "Buy American" provision be entered into the record.

"We are making a very dangerous move tonight," McCain said.

Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., the chief "Buy American" cheerleader said, "Both Mr. Smoot and Mr. Hawley are dead. ... But this amendment is part of a debate that is alive on the floor of the Senate and across the country. Twenty thousand people a day are losing their jobs. Twenty thousand people a day.

"We're going to shove a lot of money out the door of this Congress as part of economic recovery," he said. "The question is, are we going to put people back to work on America's factory floors.

"I do hope that as we push this money out the door we do it in support of American jobs," Dorgan said.

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2009/02/senators-keep-b.html

[Danger Mouse]

1. SO, what do you think?

[Pirate Smile]

3. Still in but must comply with treaties? Sounds good to me. I like the provision but didn't want to

start any trade war crap either which would have some retaliatory responses by other countries.

[Thrill]

6. Its fine with me. its best that Congress just passes it

Because as President, I think its important that Obama walk a fine line on this. He's trying to do it for the Unions. But doesn't want trade partners pissed off.

And the unions are trying to have it both ways.Which is ridiculous. You can't have our President saying its ok to buy Canadian but not China.



The United Steelworkers of America pleaded Canada's case for an exemption from the provisions.

"Because we are an international union, and because Canadian and U.S. manufacturing is so integrated, we encourage you and other members of the steel caucus to approach your counterparts in Canada to discuss a co-ordinated approach," the union's Canadian-born president, Leo Gerard, said in a written submission to the congressional steel caucus.

Such an approach would allow "the North American industry to strengthen its ability to create and preserve these good jobs in both countries," Gerard said.

It's Chinese steel, not Canadian steel, that's the intended target of the provision, he added.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/02/04/obama-protectionism.html

[rockymountaindem]

2. Dorgan's a hero

He's the number one guy on trade, and he really cares about American workers. Plus he's not averse to point out all the ways that our "trade partners" have it all over us when it comes to protectionist rules against our products.

[AzDar]

8. ...

:thumbsup:


He always seems to be fighting the good fight.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

4. McCain is still out of touch. reminds me of when he would bring

up something that happened in 1800 during the campaign.

[RC]

7. He was a young boy then. What a memory!

[Jennicut]

5. Is McLame over his pity party yet?

Idiot. The Rethugs helped to cause this with their lack of regulations, not over protectionism.

[Every Man A King]

9. There is no evidence Smoot-Hawley

made the Great Depression worse. It just something everyone accepts for no reason.