Republicans didn't like the clause in the stimulus bill requiring American products be used

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http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/statebriefs.ssf?/base/news/1234516570298890.xml&coll=2

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley critical of stimulus money but plans to spend it

Claims bill favors biggest states

Friday, February 13, 2009
MARY ORNDORFF
News Washington correspondent

WASHINGTON - Gov. Bob Riley has received more than $5 billion in requests for federal economic stimulus money from communities all over Alabama, and state officials on Thursday night were scrambling to calculate how much of the $789 billion nearing final approval in Congress would be sent from Washington to Alabama.

But even as state agencies and local governments made plans on how to spend the money - some of which would prevent immediate teacher layoffs and cuts in health care -Riley stepped up his criticism of entire bill. snip

Riley, a Republican, was also critical of the bill's clause requiring American products be used in public works projects funded by the bill, saying it would hurt foreign-owned companies located in Alabama.