DFLers go after McFadden over steel comment

Iron Range DFL lawmakers and union leaders spoke out Friday against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike McFadden's comments that U.S. steel should not be required in the proposed Keystone pipeline.

McFadden made the comment about using the lowest-priced steel, including Chinese steel, last week. A few days later he changed his position, saying it would be great to get a deal for the pipeline that would mandate U.S. Steel.

Taconite mined on the Iron Range is used to produce steel.

State Rep. Jason Metsa, DFL-Virginia, organized the news conference to criticize McFadden.

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"American infrastructure should be built with American products and by American workers," said Metsa. "This is about building the American economy, and not lining the pockets of millionaires just because it's cheaper to do elsewhere."

DFL Sen. Al Franken supported a measure that would have required U.S. steel be used if the pipeline is built. But the McFadden campaign points out the measure would waive the requirement if it would increase the cost of the pipeline by more than 25 percent.

Franken's campaign says the important thing is that Franken voted for the U.S. steel amendment.

"Al Franken voted for American steel. He has a strong record of standing up for Minnesota’s Iron Range and for Iron Range jobs. He has made it abundantly clear that if the Keystone pipeline is built, he wants it built with American Steel and that’s how he’s voted," said campaign spokesperson Alexandra Fetissoff.