U.S. Rep. Peter Visclosky told the Congressional Steel Caucus Wednesday he will cosponsor legislation aimed at curbing substandard Chinese steel imports by requiring federally funded projects to use only American-made material.

Visclosky, D-Ind., who chairs the caucus, said at a hearing in Washington, D.C., he and Rep. Phil English, R-Penn., will propose the American Steel First Act, which would mandate programs under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security to use U.S.-produced steel on domestic and civilian construction projects, such as airports, bridges, railroads, roads and the Mexico border fence.

"The reports of substandard steel, coupled with China's currency manipulation, its lack of labor and environmental standards and its direct government subsidies, help explain why our trade deficit with China grows and our manufacturing sector is shrinking. China just doesn't play by the rules, and, as was made evident in today's hearing, we must take positive action to protect ourselves from Chinese steel and support our domestic steel industry," Visclosky said.