U.S. House of Representatives Passes Another Stimulus Bill

Released January 4, 2010

In Dec., the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 (H.R. 2847). Intended to stimulate job growth, the measure includes about $50 billion for public works projects along with almost $50 billion for cash-strapped state and local governments.

Included in the bill are funds for various infrastructure investments including $37.3 billion for transportation programs, distributed as follows:

• $27.5 billion is for highways (freight and passenger rail and port projects are also eligible for these funds);
  
• $8.4 billion is for transit; and,
  
• $500 million is for Airport Improvement Program grants.

Other key provisions include:

• $2 billion to the Department of Energy Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program (taken in July, 2009 to fund the ‘Cash for Clunkers’ Program), makes administrative improvements to expedite awarding of funding, and allows for energy efficiency projects to qualify for these awards.
  
• $275 million for Green Jobs Grants for renewable energy and energy efficiency worker training programs.
  
• $2 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Safe Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to quickly create jobs and fund essential water infrastructure projects in communities around the country.
  
• $354 million allocated to the Small Business Administration (SBA), to continue two temporary loan guarantee authorities.

The controversial "Buy America" clause is included in the measure. The clause requires that all steel and manufactured goods (including castings) used in the projects be made in America. The Senate is expected to take up the measure early in 2010. Here is a link to the summary of the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010:

http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/Jobs_for_Main_Street_Act_of_2010_Summary.pdf

For more information, contact Stephanie Salmon, Metalcasters Alliance for Government Affairs Washington Office, at ss@wafed.com or 202/842-4864.