Manufacturers Call on Obama, Congress to act on pro-job policies.

Press Release Summary:



NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, after President Obama's address to joint session of Congress on jobs and the economy, said "manufacturers are encouraged by Washington turning its attention to jobs." However, Timmons also said Obama "missed the mark" and that several steps can be taken immediately to grow U.S. economy and competitiveness. Timmons specifically cited urgent passing of free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea as well as approving Keystone XL Pipeline.



Original Press Release:



Manufacturers Call on President Obama and Congress to Act Now on Pro-Job Policies



Action is needed to grow jobs and reduce uncertainty

Washington, D.C. - National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons released a statement tonight following President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress on jobs and the economy:

"While manufacturers are encouraged by Washington turning its attention to jobs, the President, unfortunately, missed the mark tonight. The solution is simple and there are several steps that the President can take immediately to grow our economy and make the U.S. more competitive.

One of the prime opportunities is passing free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea to reach consumers living outside the U.S. Manufacturers are pleased the President mentioned these agreements tonight as we believe they have languished too long. The President needs to transmit the agreements to Congress quickly because they will create 100,000 new jobs and bring an additional $12 billion annually in exports, according the International Trade Commission (ITC).

Another is approving the Keystone XL Pipeline which is expected to immediately create more than 20,000 high-wage U.S. manufacturing and construction jobs, but has been awaiting the President's approval since 2009. In addition to the pipeline, the President can remove the roadblocks which have slowed the permitting process to a crawl and begin increasing our nation's energy supply. A number of other large projects are on hold due to lengthy permitting delays.

Manufacturers want to do their part in the shared effort to create jobs, and agree with the President that our recovery will be driven by businesses and workers. But the answer isn't increasing taxes on job creators while expecting them to create jobs at the same time. And singling out industries for tax purposes will only stifle investment and further limit job creation. The recipe calls for less regulation from federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Labor Relations Board, increased energy supply, access to new markets, and investments rather than heavier tax burdens.

Time is running out, and millions of Americans need to get back to work."

-NAM-
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, 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 about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

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