- Senator Arlen Specter, Chairman
of the Senate Steel Caucus has joined with other
senators from steel producing states in a letter
to President Bush seeking assistance for the
struggling steel industry.
The letter,
spearheaded by Senator George Voinovich of Ohio,
cites a need for help in halting “the demise of
the steel industry,” and outlines the effects of
illegally dumped foreign steel on U.S. steel
producers, and its impact upon their workers and
retirees.
“A surge of foreign steel, much
of it allegedly dumped illegally on our shores, is
causing America’s steel industry extreme financial
hardship,” the letter states. “Steel producers
from across the country have filed for bankruptcy
protection in recent months and may face
liquidation. The closure of these firms would deal
a crippling blow to tens of thousands of workers
as well as retirees in steel-dependent communities
nationwide.”
The letter specifically asks
President Bush to petition the International Trade
Commission for temporary relief and, if warranted,
to support remedial measures.
The action
is requested in order to allow the steel industry
to continue its restructuring efforts. “”In recent
years, our steel industry has come a long way by
investing millions of dollars to modernize its
facilities and restructuring to make itself more
competitive. This process is not yet complete.”
The letter was signed by Senator Arlen
Specter, R-PA; George Voinovich, R-OH; John
Rockefeller, D-WV; Robert Byrd, D-WV; Carl Levin,
D-MI; Evan Bayh, D-IN; Dick Durbin, D-IL; Mike
DeWine R-OH; Rick Santorum, R-PA; Earnest
Hollings, D-SC; Barbara Mikulski, D-MD; Paul
Sarbanes, D-MD; Orrin Hatch, R-UT; and Paul
Wellstone, D-MI. |
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