FARMINGTON — Today, during a visit to Turbine Technologies, Inc., one of Connecticut’s high-growth manufacturers, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) celebrated new findings by the Economic Policy Institute that passage of his 21st Century Buy American Act would create up to 100,000 U.S. jobs. Specifically, the report found that by closing loopholes in the Buy American Act, including the overseas usage loophole, and boosting the percentage of American-made content of all purchases covered by the Buy American Act, Murphy’s bill would increase GDP by $13.6 billion and create between 60,000 and 100,000 new U.S. jobs.

“The 21st Century Buy American Act is smart manufacturing policy and a good first step towards rebuilding American manufacturing. Its passage would set the stage for bi-partisan cooperation on fundamental reforms,” said Robert E. Scott, Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Research at the Economic Policy Institute.

“These are our taxpayer dollars, so if we’re spending the money to buy equipment for the military, it should be spent supporting jobs in America,” said Murphy. “The Economic Policy Institute’s conclusion that my bill would create 100,000 U.S. jobs is music to my ears, but it’s frustrating that this commonsense legislation is still stuck in the gridlock of Congress. It’s time for the U.S. government to get more serious about creating jobs at American companies, rather than in places like Mexico or China, with our taxpayer dollars. I won’t stop fighting for these jobs.”

As part of a continued effort to protect and grow manufacturing jobs in Connecticut, Murphy introduced the 21st Buy American Act last month to strengthen existing Buy American standards and ensure that the U.S. government prioritizes the purchase of American-made goods. Congress recently passed Murphy’s Buy American amendment, sending it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.