Congress Introduces Several Trade Bills

In late March, House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Ben Cardin (D-MD) unveiled his highly anticipated trade bill, "The Restoring America's Competitiveness Act of 2006" (TRACA or H.R. 5043). This legislation aims to level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers, farmers and workers by addressing foreign exchange-rate manipulation, and reforming anti-dumping and countervailing duty laws to promote fair trade. AISI's President and CEO Andy Sharkey, along with several other industry and union representatives, joined Congressmen Cardin and Sander Levin (D-MI) to roll-out this meaningful legislation during a Capitol Hill press conference.

Earlier in the month, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Ranking Member, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), introduced "The U.S. Trade Enhancement Act of 2006" (S. 2467). This bill also attempts to resolve the currency and trade enforcement issues the U.S. currently faces with several of its largest trading partners; although it does so in less stringent manner than TRACA. In addition, Sen. Baucus and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) sponsored the Trade Competitiveness Act of 2006 (S. 2317), which seeks to amend the Trade Act of 1974, and requires the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to better identify its enforcement priorities when dealing with foreign trading partners. A provision in this bill also calls for the creation of a Chief Trade Enforcement Officer position within USTR.

Update: "Deep Water" Energy Development Legislation

Bipartisan efforts are underway in Congress to pass legislation that will increase the domestic natural gas and oil supply by removing Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) drilling moratoriums, thereby increasing development of the nation's "deep water" energy reserves.

In the House, Rep. Bobby Jindal's (D-LA) bill, "The "Domestic Energy Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006" (H.R. 4761), is gaining the most momentum. While in the Senate, Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman's (D-NM) legislation requiring the Secretary of the Interior to offer the 181 Area of the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas leasing (S. 2253), is receiving the broadest support.

The Institute continues to encourage grassroots advocacy on this issue by associate and member companies. For those parties interested in getting involved, please consider sending a letter to your elected officials by simply logging on to AISI's "Legislative Action Center" (available at www.steel.org) and clicking on the take action button.

AISI Hosts Several Events on Capitol Hill

This past month, AISI and its member companies hosted several events on Capitol Hill, including an unofficial "Welcome Back" reception for both House and Senate Steel Caucus delegations. This event was held at local hangout "Top of the Hill," and provided an excellent opportunity for AISI and member company representatives to interact with Congressional staffers in an informal setting. In addition, the reception allowed AISI to once again thank all those offices that continue to support and advocate on behalf of the domestic steel industry.

Following the "Welcome Back" reception, AISI organized an official Congressional Steel Caucus briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building to highlight the work of the Auto/Steel Partnership (A/SP). More than 25 staffers attended the event, which featured a presentation on UltraLight steel auto body projects (ULSAB), as well as the need for continued federal funding to promote research and development in new advanced high strength steels (AHSS). Speaking on behalf of the industry was Ron Krupitzer, AISI's vice president for Automotive Applications, Roger Heimbuch, executive director, A/SP and Jody Shaw, U.S. Steel Corporation's manager of Automotive Marketing. Andy Sharkey, AISI's president and CEO, and Larry Kavanagh, vice president of Manufacturing and Technology, also participated in the briefing.

Upcoming events: AISI is currently coordinating a Congressional Steel Caucus briefing for late April that will highlight the North American steel industry's progress in improving environmental performance. Panelists for this event will include representatives from AISI, member companies, the Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) and the environmental advocacy organization, EarthVoice. For more information on this event, please visit www.steel.org, or contact Katie Gallagher or Matt Davison.