WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans overwhelmingly support federal requirements for American-made materials in all federally funded infrastructure investment in the 2009 economic recovery bill, according to a random survey of 1,001 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 by Harris Interactive on behalf of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

The national poll found 84 percent favor "Buy American" requirements (66 percent strongly, 18 percent somewhat). Only 4 percent strongly oppose the requirement and 7 percent somewhat oppose it. The overwhelming support was consistent regardless of gender, age, income level, education, or region. [Cross tabs are available]

"Buy American is a good deal for taxpayers and workers," said AAM Executive Director Scott Paul. "U.S. taxpayers understand the issue at hand. Buy American is longstanding U.S. policy and consistent with our international trade obligations. The Senate should pass economic recovery legislation as soon as possible with Buy American requirements intact and reflect the will of the overwhelming majority of Americans."

The question on the economic recovery bill being debated in Congress was conducted by Harris Interactive in a national omnibus survey conducted by phone among adults living in the contiguous United States. The survey polled 1,001 adults 18 years of age or older and is representative of the U.S. adult population. For complete methodology, including weighting variables, please contact David Roscow or Steven Capozzola.

Said Paul, "We know that Buy American enables us to create 33 percent more manufacturing jobs. That’s why we are confident that at the end of the legislative process, the Obama Administration and Congress will agree to strong Buy American provisions."

The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) is a unique non-partisan, non-profit partnership of several leading U.S. manufacturers and the United Steelworkers.