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Rep. Pocan Statement on Trump’s Kenosha Visit and Buy America Executive Order

April 18, 2017

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) today released the following statement after President Trump visited Kenosha, Wisconsin, and announced an Executive Order reviewing Buy America policies. In December, Rep. Pocan wrote a letter to President-elect Trump asking him to enforce and expand the Buy America standards. The letter also highlighted the fact that Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans had just eliminated Buy America requirements for steel and iron used in our country's water infrastructure. To date, Rep. Pocan did not receive a response from the transition team, nor have White House officials responded in any capacity.

"Reviewing Buy America policies does little to keep the promises Trump made to Wisconsin workers. Many people in our state are feeling economically strapped and a short visit to my hometown of Kenosha to shake some hands will not ease that stress. We desperately need immediate, strong, and meaningful Buy America policies to ensure that American tax dollars go to companies that employ American workers. But in his first months as President, we've yet to see Trump take meaningful action on Buy America.

"While Trump is announcing this Executive Order in Speaker Paul Ryan's District, Republicans in Congress remain firmly opposed to expanding our Buy America standards. Instead of standing up for American workers, they consistently rally around legislation that strips these requirements and sends taxpayer dollars to companies that ship jobs overseas. I hope that the President will stand up to Speaker Paul Ryan and follow this review of Buy America policies with real action that will help the hardworking families find economic stability."

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