The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) president and CEO John Engler issued the following statement July 21 after the House of Representatives voted to approve the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (H.R. 4380), the U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act:
“Manufacturers are pleased the House of Representatives passed the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) today. The NAM has been working relentlessly to educate Congress on the importance of this bill and how it will preserve and expand good American jobs. This legislation will also cut the costs of doing business in the United States and boost American manufacturing exports. In fact, studies show that if enacted, these provisions would increase production by $4.6 billion and support almost 90,000 jobs. Manufacturers of all sizes use these vital tariff suspensions to obtain raw materials, proprietary inputs and other products that are not available in our nation. Without them, the costs of these companies’ products will inevitably increase, forcing them to pass on these costs to consumers. This hinders competitiveness and translates into lost jobs for American workers.
“Further, the MTB process is wholly transparent and open to the public. Each proposed duty suspension is subject to a meticulous and non-partisan vetting process to ensure that no domestic producers of the affected product exist. The International Trade Commission, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Management and Budget and the congressional committees of jurisdiction collaborate to review each proposed duty suspension. Manufacturers will continue to work with Congress as this bill moves through the legislative process.”
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information, visit www.nam.org.