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ROCKEFELLER MEETS WITH SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS FUTURE OF U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Taking his concerns to the highest levels of the President’s Administration, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) met this evening with senior Bush advisors and Cabinet members to discuss the crisis that is currently paralyzing the American steel industry. Rockefeller was joined by a number of other Senators and members of Congress from steel-producing states in urging the Administration to take immediate steps to save the steel industry.

"Our steel industry is in dire straits due to the imported steel that flooded our markets including steel that was illegally dumped. I am committed to working with the Bush Administration to bring this crisis to an end," Rockefeller said. "West Virginia’s steelworkers and their families need to know that we all will work together to help American steel companies survive, and I expect that the Administration will support our efforts to do so."

During the discussion, Rockefeller again pushed the Administration to demand a Section 201 investigation to expose the illegal actions of foreign steel producers and bring about a restriction on imports of foreign steel. While the International Trade Commission (ITC) is responsible for launching Section 201 investigations, only the Administration, several congressional committees, and unions can request the ITC to take such action. Thus far, the Administration has failed to do so. Therefore, Rockefeller has asked the Senate Finance Committee to pursue a Section 201 action itself.

"As I have told President Bush in my numerous letters to him, a Section 201 investigation is by far our best hope for preventing the extinction of the American steel industry," Rockefeller added.

Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Commerce Secretary Don Evans represented the Bush Administration at the meeting, while Rockefeller was accompanied by his Senate colleagues Robert Byrd (D-WV), Arlen Specter (R-PA), Mike DeWine (R-OH) and George Voinovich (R-OH), along with Reps. Peter Visclosky (D-IN) and Philip English (R-PA).

Last week, Rockefeller continued his efforts on behalf of our steel companies by introducing the "Save the American Steel Industry Act of 2001" to provide financial relief to merging domestic steel companies, and to protect health benefits for retired steelworkers.

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