Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Build America, Buy America Compliance Act, which would make federal agencies report each year on how they follow Buy America rules on infrastructure projects, Manufacturing Dive reported on May 1, 2026.
What the bill would do
- Agencies would send annual reports to the “Made in America Office” and Congress, and publish them in the Federal Register.
- Agencies would list which infrastructure programs fully apply the rules. Programs that do not would need a timeline to comply and would be pushed toward project-specific waivers.
- The bill was referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
An Inspector General audit released April 20 found the Federal Aviation Administration left required Buy American clauses out of contracts funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Three of nine contracts reviewed used foreign-made products, covering $115.9 million in funds.
“When we use American tax dollars, we should be investing those dollars back into American workers, products, and businesses.”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Why it matters for Made in USA
Buy America rules require USA-made iron, steel and construction materials on federally funded infrastructure, but enforcement depends on agencies. Regular reporting would show where waivers let foreign products in. Related: Buy America rules and affordable housing.
FAQ
Who introduced the BABA Compliance Act?
Sens. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Jim Banks of Indiana.
What would it require?
Annual agency reports on Build America, Buy America compliance, sent to the “Made in America Office” and Congress and published in the Federal Register.
What did the FAA audit find?
Missing Buy American clauses and foreign products in three of nine IIJA-funded contracts reviewed, worth $115.9 million.
Source & credit
Originally reported by Manufacturing Dive (Sara Samora), May 1, 2026: Senators introduce bill to enforce Buy America compliance