AISI, AISC, NSBA Applaud Passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA) provided the following news releases in response to the House of Representatives’ passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

To learn more about the construction funding provided in the new Bill, please see the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA’s) summary of the Act’s full contents.

American Iron and Steel Institute

November 6, 2021

Kevin Dempsey, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), issued the following statement in response to the House of Representatives’ passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA):

“American steel built this country, and the industry is now ready to get to work on rebuilding this country. Repairing and modernizing our national transportation system is essential and we are glad Congress agrees. This bill would ensure that our infrastructure system meets the need of the 21st century. Funding roads and bridges, ports and waterways, water infrastructure, the electric grid and investing in electric vehicle systems, all will require a lot of steel —and our industry is ready to provide that steel. Passing this bill today provides a tremendous boost to our industry, as demand for American steel could increase by as much as five million tons for every $100 billion of new investment.

“This bill will also make sure that taxpayer funds are used to procure cleaner steel produced in the United States, where it is made with a lower carbon and energy intensity than steel made in the other leading steel-producing countries. We are thrilled that, in the end, Congress was able to take this important step toward funding our nation’s infrastructure needs. We look forward to President Biden signing the bill into law very soon.”

Read full release from AISI

American Institute of Steel Construction and the National Steel Bridge Alliance

November 9, 2021

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA, a division of AISC) commend the U.S. Congress for passing the $1.2 trillion, bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), which is expected to boost infrastructure investment by nearly 40%.

The Act, which President Joe Biden will likely sign into law soon, will enable much-needed and long-overdue investment in our nation’s critical infrastructure, including highway structures, bridges, and public transit structures. It will strengthen our economy and create good-paying jobs by using domestic fabricated structural steel to meet the demand of the future, explained Max Puchtel, AISC’s director of government relations and sustainability.

“This is a collective victory,” says Puchtel. “The tireless advocacy work of our members, allied steel associations and construction coalitions, and the greater steel community has finally paid off.”

The Act also contains strong Buy America provisions which will keep our public dollars invested here at home. Construction materials must be produced in the United States, and any general waivers to the program continue to require review.

Read full release from AISC / NSBA