- WASHINGTON – Senator Arlen
Specter, (R-PA) Chairman of the U.S. Senate Steel
Caucus, testified today before the International
Trade Commission’s hearing on the Section 201
Investigation of steel imports. The hearing was
being held to determine if increased imports of
steel are a substantial cause of serious injury to
the American Steel industry, or a threat to the
industry and its workforce.
“This is an
issue of National Security,” stated Senator
Specter during his testimony. “Steel is vital. The
United States continues to have a critical need
for steel, but foreign steel - at a time of grave
concern for our own national defense and
infrastructure - ought not be depended upon when
we have the ability to produce a quality product.”
The Section 201 Investigation was
initiated at the request of the steel industry,
labor and the Congressional Steel Caucus. On May
22, 2001, Senator Specter chaired a meeting
between the Congressional Steel Caucus and the
Bush Administration - including Commerce Secretary
Don Evans, Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, and
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick - to
secure a commitment supporting the investigation
from President Bush.
On June 22, 2001,
Trade Representative Zoellick filed on behalf of
the Administration a request to the ITC to conduct
an investigation of steel imports under Section
201 of the Trade Act of 1974. Section 201
authorizes the President to provide temporary
relief from import surges causing serious injury
to domestic industries. The President will
determine what relief, if any, will be made
available to the industry, based upon
recommendation of the International Trade
Commission. |
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