GOP Skeptics Reject 'Buy American' Bill In Colorado

DENVER (AP) -- A Democratic proposal to give preference to state contractors that use American-made materials has failed in a Republican committee.

The same House committee already rejected a similar contracting preference for bidders that agree to employ Colorado workers.

The "Buy American" bill cleared the Democratic Senate earlier this month, but all Republicans in that chamber voted against it. It failed on a 4-4 party-line vote in the committee Thursday. A majority is needed for a bill to advance.

Republicans say that contracting preferences don't create jobs and only lead to more paperwork for government bureaucrats. Democrats argue that tax dollars fund contracts and should be used to boost domestic manufacturing.

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