United Steel, Paper & Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial & Service Workers International Union v. Federal Highway Administration

**Court Rules in Favor of Union Challenging Federal Highway Administration Exemptions** The United Steel Workers union sued the Federal Highway Administration over two exemptions the agency created without properly following federal rulemaking procedures. These exemptions - called the "90-Percent Threshold" and "Miscellaneous Products Exemption" - allowed certain products to be exempt from "Buy American" requirements for federally funded highway projects. The court sided with the union, ruling that the Federal Highway Administration violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The judge found that the agency failed to give the public proper notice and opportunity to comment on these exemptions before implementing them. Additionally, the court determined that the exemptions were "arbitrary and capricious," meaning the agency didn't provide adequate reasoning for its decisions. The court threw out both exemptions and sent the matter back to the agency for proper review. This ruling matters for workers because it strengthens "Buy American" policies that help protect domestic manufacturing jobs. When government agencies must follow proper procedures before creating exemptions to these policies, it ensures greater transparency and accountability. Workers in steel, manufacturing, and related industries benefit when federal projects prioritize American-made products, potentially creating more domestic employment opportunities.