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H.R.1684 / 112th Congress

Keep American Jobs from Going Down the Drain Act

Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · May 3, 2011

Keep American Jobs from Going Down the Drain Act - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to prohibit the use of funds made available from a state loan fund or a state water pollution control revolving fund, respectively, from being used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public water system unless the steel, iron, and manufactured goods used in such project are produced in the United States. Waives such requirement when the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in consultation with the relevant governor, finds that: (1) applying such requirement would be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) such goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (3) inclusion of such goods will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25%.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide public notice and the opportunity to comment on the Administrator's intent to issue a waiver no less than 15 days prior to waiving such requirements; and (2) publish a justification of any waiver issued.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Sutton, Betty [D-OH-13] · D–OH

Committees

  • Energy and Commerce Committee
  • Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
39 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1684 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1684 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1684 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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