U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., is pressing for more protections for the hard-hit steel industry, which has laid off hundreds of workers in Northwest Indiana this year.
Visclosky pushed to strengthen Buy American requirements and offered an amendment to the controversial Trade Promotion Authority bill so it would include more protections for domestic steelmakers that have been battered by cheap imports.
The Congressman from Merrillville has opposed the fast-track Trade Promotion Authority legislation, which he said would cause irreparable harm to manufacturing in the United States. He likened it to NAFTA, which the Economic Policy Institute estimates caused the loss of 682,900 American jobs, mostly in manufacturing.
"It is wrong to expect American workers to compete against state-owned enterprises that have unlimited government resources and violate our free market trade laws," he said.
"American manufacturing and the steel industry are struggling every day to keep their footing in the fight against unfair trade."
His amendment would strengthen anti-dumping tariffs, let U.S. Customs and Border Protection take quick action against foreign steel companies that try to avoid tariffs, and empower the U.S. Department of Commerce to use data when steel dumpers don't cooperate with unfair trade investigations. His proposal would shorten the amount of time it takes to resolve trade cases, and clarify the government should not deny relief just because domestic steelmakers are still profitable or seeing conditions improve.
ArcelorMittal, U.S. Steel Corp. and the United Steelworkers all have backed such provisions – which are also including in pending customs legislation – as a way to combat imports, which captured a record 28 percent market share in 2014.
"By the time American companies win a trade case, the American jobs have already been shipped overseas, never to return," Visclosky said. "We must strengthen our trade laws so that American workers can compete on a level playing field."
A committee voted down Visclosky's proposal, but the provisions are still included in the customs bill that's been approved by both the House and the Senate.
Visclosky had more luck with a Buy American amendment the House Appropriations Committee added to the 2016 Interior Appropriations Act. His proposal would require American-made iron and steel to be used in any projects paid for with the EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.
"We have a responsibility to see that American taxpayer dollars support American jobs," Visclosky said. "I am pleased that the Committee approved this Buy American amendment that ensures the use of American iron and steel."