H.R.3933 - Paving the Way for American Industry Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.3933, the "Paving the Way for American Industry Act," aims to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to include specific yellow coloring agents as construction materials under the Build America, Buy America Act. This bill prioritizes the use of domestically produced yellow organic pigments in infrastructure projects, specifically those used in road, highway, and airport markings. The bill mandates that all manufacturing processes for these pigments, from initial material combination to the final chemical reaction, must occur within the United States.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill is to incentivize and mandate the use of American-made yellow pigments in infrastructure projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. This could lead to increased demand for domestic pigment production and potentially create jobs within the US chemical manufacturing sector. Furthermore, it will require the Office of Management and Budget to update relevant guidance to reflect these new requirements within 90 days of enactment.
Potential Benefits
- Increased domestic manufacturing: The bill promotes the use of American-made materials, potentially boosting the US manufacturing sector.
- Job creation: Increased demand for domestic pigment production could lead to new job opportunities in the chemical industry.
- Reduced reliance on foreign suppliers: By mandating domestic production, the bill reduces dependence on international supply chains.
- Support for American innovation: The bill encourages investment and development in domestic pigment manufacturing technologies.
- Enhanced transparency: The bill ensures clear guidelines for the sourcing of materials used in infrastructure projects.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increased costs: Domestic production might be more expensive than sourcing pigments from foreign suppliers, potentially increasing project costs.
- Limited supplier options: Restricting the supply chain to domestic producers could limit options and potentially lead to supply bottlenecks.
- Trade implications: The bill could be viewed as protectionist and potentially strain international trade relations.
- Implementation challenges: Ensuring compliance with the domestic sourcing requirements could pose logistical and administrative challenges.
- Potential for unintended consequences: The focus on yellow pigments might inadvertently disadvantage other color pigment manufacturers or create unforeseen market distortions.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3) of the US Constitution, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states. By promoting domestic manufacturing, the bill seeks to regulate commerce to benefit American industries. However, the bill's potential impact on interstate and international commerce requires careful consideration to avoid undue burdens or conflicts with existing trade agreements. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any individual liberties or rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).