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May 2008

 

Substandard Chinese Imports are Focus of Steel Caucus Hearing

Congressional Steel Caucus Chairman Pete Visclosky (D-IN)* and Vice-Chairman Phil English (R-PA)* convened a Steel Caucus Hearing in Washington, D.C. on April 30th to further examine the dangers of imported Chinese steel products and explore policy options. Responding to testimony confirming substandard Chinese steel, Visclosky said, "China just doesn't play by the same rules." He added that "we must take positive action to protect ourselves." English urged Congress to take strong and swift action to guarantee imports meet exact ASTM standards because it could save lives.

More on AISI's "China Focus"
* Denotes Steel Caucus Member

AISI's 3rd Annual Environmental Briefing Held on Capitol Hill

AISI held its 3rd Annual Environmental Briefing on Capitol Hill on April 21. Andrew G. Sharkey, III, president and CEO, AISI, briefed Hill staffers and federal agency staff on the industry's environmental leadership and the need for a global sectoral approach.

In addition, keynote speaker Professor H.Y. Sohn, Ph.D. of the University of Utah shared a progress update on efforts to produce iron by Hydrogen Flash Smelting, a research project that is part of the CO2 Breakthrough Program, funded in part by the AISI and its member companies. This steelmaking process would produce little or no CO2.

More on the Environmental Briefing

American Steel First Act Would Extend "Buy America"

Citing the adverse impact of Chinese pipe being used in the U.S. - Mexico border fence, Reps. Pete Visclosky (D-IN)* and Phil English (R-PA)* introduced the American Steel First Act, which would require federally funded construction projects under the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation to use 100 percent American-made steel products.

The bill expands the successful Buy America Act requirements, which currently only apply to Federal Transportation Administration projects. An important part of the American Steel First Act is that it requires a public comment period for all projects that seek an exemption to the requirements within the bill. This provision would allow the domestic steel industry to verify there is no domestic steel available for the project. "(The bill) will combat unfair steel imports and it will give our steel industry a boost," said Visclosky.

Buy America Coalition statement on H.R. 5935
* Denotes Steel Caucus Member


Check Out AISI's Public Policy Efforts on the Web

AISI's Public Policy Homepage

AISI's Legislative Action Center

For more information on these Web sites, contact David Ziemba.


If you have any questions regarding AISI public policy issues, please feel free to contact any member of the Public Policy Team:

AREA
AISI
STAFF PHONE
E-MAIL
Trade & Economic Policy
Barry Solarz
202.452.7139
bsolarz@steel.org
Recycling & Market Development
Chip Foley
202.452.7177
wjfoley@steel.org
Government Relations

Jennifer Diggins

David Ziemba

202.452.7214

202.452.7133

jdiggins@steel.org

dziemba@steel.org