Climate
Change Bill Stalls in Senate
Debated
on the Senate floor in the beginning of June, S. 3036,
the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act of 2008, did
not reach a final vote, but the legislation's potential
negative impact on domestic steel was stressed by several
Senators. In one example, Senator Specter spoke to competitiveness
issues that could lead a shift in production to countries
without emission standards. In addition to floor statements,
numerous amendments detailing domestic steel interests
were sponsored by Senate Steel Caucus members and co-authored
by AISI.
Similar
concerns used before the House Subcommittee on Energy
and Air Quality during AISI supported testimony in March.
AISI's public policy agenda asserts that all products
sold in the U.S. should meet the same carbon intensity
standards imposed on domestic producers. For more in
AISI's climate change focus, click
here.
The
American Steel First Act Approved in Committee
The
American Steel First Act (H.R. 5935), was unanimously
approved by the House Homeland Security Committee on
June 26. The bill 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.
H.R.
5935 faces a strong challenge in the House Committee
on Armed Services, which it must pass before a full
vote can be taken by the House of Representatives. To
view AISI's Steelgram supporting H.R. 5935, click
here.
Buy
America Required in New Public School Construction
An
amendment that requires local education agencies to
use American iron and steel for modernization, renovation,
or repair projects at public school facilities was included
in the recently passed 21st Century Green High-Performing
Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021). The amendment,
sponsored by Congressional Steel Caucus Chairman Pete
Visclosky, allows for Buy America exclusions such as
increase of total cost. H.R. 3021 will offer grants
to renovate and modernize schools.
Congressman
Stupak, a fellow proponent of the amendment, said, "Congress
has to take action to prevent inferior Chinese steel
from being used in our schools." The bill now awaits
consideration by the Senate.
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.
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The
Capitol Line