Alberta's representative in Washington says he is closely watching the "Buy American" clause of the U.S. stimulus bill but doesn't expect it will have much of an impact on the province.

The controversial provision, part of the $819-billion US financial stimulus package before the U.S. Congress, would require all public works projects funded by the stimulus package to use only U.S.-made iron and steel.

"It's clearly a precedent that we wouldn't want to see go forward," said Gary Mar. "It's the same thing with restrictions on oil exports. That's obviously very clearly in our interests that that not go forward. There's been no discussion of that now, but it's something that we will watch for very, very carefully."

The Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives approved the package in a vote last week, and the Senate began debating it on Monday.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall were travelling to the United States on Monday to lobby against protectionist measures in the stimulus bill.

Doer and Wall planned to stop first in Chicago before travelling to Houston, where they were to meet up with Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach.

"It's totally offside with NAFTA, and it's inconsistent with American best interests and Canadian best interests," said Doer. "It's in their best interest to trade."

The Canadian government is also very concerned the clause "takes it further than just steel and just iron products, but it could go across the board to many other products," International Trade Minister Stockwell Day told the House of Commons during question period Monday.

Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff accused the governing Conservatives of waiting too long to intervene, acting only after the legislation passed the House of Representatives. But Day shot back that Canada cannot get involved in drafting U.S. legislation.