Reuters reported that the US House of Representatives has approved "Buy America" steel provision as part of USD 825 billion package to help pull the US economy out of recession. The provision requires public works projects funded by the bill to use only US made iron and steel.

House leaders included the language despite strong objections from the US Chamber of Commerce and other business groups which said it would set a bad example for other countries considering their own economic stimulus plans.

Mr Leo Gerard president of the United Steel Workers union said that “We have got manufacturing in America in a total and complete freefall. It is about time we had some economic patriots.”

The stimulus package contains about USD 90 billion for highway, rail and other infrastructure projects.

The Buy America steel measure specifically covers airports, bridges, canals, dams, dikes, pipelines, railroads, multiline mass transit systems, roads, tunnels, harbors and piers.