Buy America Agency Compliance Scorecards

Summary#

• This bill would require every federal agency to file a public annual report on how well it is following the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). BABA says federally funded infrastructure should use U.S.-made iron, steel, construction materials, and manufactured products.
• The reports must list each agency’s infrastructure grant and loan programs, show which ones fully apply Buy America rules, and explain plans and timelines to finish compliance where they do not.
• Agencies must also explain how they will move away from broad, blanket waivers and instead use project- or product-specific waivers when needed. Each report must be published for the public to see.

Key changes

• Annual, public “scorecard” from each agency on Buy America compliance.
• Clear list of programs that are and are not fully applying Buy America rules.
• Required timelines and steps to reach full compliance for lagging programs.
• Push to replace broad waivers with targeted, project-specific waivers.
• Public posting of the reports in the Federal Register.

What it means for you#

• Workers and U.S. manufacturers

  • Could see steadier demand for U.S.-made materials and products if agencies tighten compliance.
  • More visibility into future needs, since reports signal where domestic supply is short and where demand may grow.

• Contractors, builders, and suppliers

  • Expect closer checks on U.S.-content rules for federally funded projects.
  • Fewer blanket waivers may mean more case-by-case waiver requests and documentation.
  • More predictable rules over time, as programs publish plans and timelines to comply.

• State, local, and tribal project sponsors

  • Likely more attention to Buy America compliance in the grants and loans you use.
  • Potential for schedule or sourcing adjustments if general waivers become rarer.
  • Clearer guidance as federal agencies publish their compliance status and plans.

• Taxpayers and the public

  • Greater transparency: you can see which programs follow Buy America and which are catching up.
  • The bill does not change who gets funding; it focuses on reporting and accountability.

• Federal agencies

  • Must deliver an initial report within 60 days after enactment and then report every year.
  • Must publish reports publicly and describe how they will rely more on targeted waivers when needed.

Note: The bill also includes non-binding statements of Congress encouraging strong Buy America enforcement, better public access to waiver information, and closing loopholes. These statements show intent but do not, by themselves, change the law.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Improves accountability by showing, program by program, who is following Buy America rules.
• Builds U.S. jobs and strengthens supply chains by steering more federal project spending to domestic products.
• Increases transparency by making reports public and waivers easier to track.
• Reduces overuse of broad waivers and encourages targeted waivers that reveal real market gaps.
• Helps agencies plan and industry invest by laying out timelines to reach full compliance.

Opponents' View#

• Adds reporting work for agencies and could add paperwork for grant recipients and contractors.
• Moving from blanket waivers to project-specific waivers may slow projects or complicate purchasing when supplies are tight.
• Could raise costs for some projects if domestic products are pricier or hard to find.
• May limit flexibility for agencies to manage programs efficiently, especially in emergencies or niche markets.