On January 8, 2026, AWPA joined 16 industry and labor organizations in signing a letter urging Congress to preserve strong Buy America policies – particularly for iron and steel products – in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill. The letter was sent to the chairs and ranking members of the committees with jurisdiction over this important infrastructure legislation, which covers investments in the nation’s highways, roads, bridges, and mass transit systems. The current authorization for surface transportation programs is set to expire at the end of the current fiscal year (September 30, 2026) and Congress is expected to begin moving legislation through the committees of jurisdiction in the weeks ahead.
On December 19, 2025, AWPA joined a coalition of U.S. manufacturers and agricultural producers in a letter endorsing the recently introduced Strengthening Trade Enforcement and Evasion Limitations (STEEL) Act. The bill would allow Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to self-initiate EAPA investigations when credible evidence suggests AD/CVD duty evasion by foreign importers. Under current law, CBP must wait for interested domestic parties to submit detailed – and often non-public – information before acting. The bill would also require payment of assessed duties before an importer may appeal an EAPA determination, helping to deter frivolous litigation. The bipartisan bill was introduced by Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Chris Deluzio (D-PA). You can read more about it here.
As previously reported, AWPA is working with a coalition of other associations and industries on a series of state-specific letters urging action on trade enforcement legislation. A letter to the Oklahoma Congressional delegation (signed by AWPA member Oklahoma Steel & Wire) was sent on November 19, 2025. A letter to the Iowa Congressional delegation (signed by AWPA members Iowa Steel & Wire; SSW / Collis; and Nucor Corporation) will be sent in the coming days, with additional states to be targeted in the weeks and months ahead.