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Washington
Report for the week of February 4-10
Provided by the National Association of Manufacturers
In this
edition: Bush tax plan; National Manufacturing Week;
energy policy; Zoellick confirmation; export controls; NAM
legislative awards; economic data; Mexican economy; House
committee vacancies; NAM public affairs conference.
This week in Congress
Floor Action:
The House will take up
several measures under suspension of the rules. TheSenate
will consider the nomination of Robert Zoellick to be U.S.
Trade Representative, a bill providing U.S. dues payments to
the United Nations oil and gas pipeline safety bill S. 235 and
bankruptcy bill S. 220.
In Committee: Hearings
this week are expected on:export controls; California energy
crisis; budget and economic outlook; medical privacy rules;
American Airlines-TWA merger; bankruptcy overhaul; and more.
Other Events: The
Labor Department 2/7 issues its preliminary report on 4th
quarter productivity and costs. The Federal Reserve 2/7
reports on December consumer credit.
CONGRESS GETS BUSH TAX PLAN
THIS WEEK
President Bush is expected to present the general outlines of
his tax proposal to Congress 2/8 after three days of
tax-related events. Bush argues tax cuts would be an insurance
policy against an economic downturn and serve as much-needed
economic stimulus for a slowdown already under way. Bush’s
plan received a boost 1/31 when CBO predicted the 10-year
total budget surplus would be $5.61 trillion, $3.12 trillion
not including the Social Security surplus—$1 trillion more
than previously anticipated.
STOSSEL KEYNOTES NATIONAL
MANUFACTURING WEEK 2001
Come hear John Stossel of ABC News deliver his keynote address
on “Freedom and Its Enemies.” Also, check out over 2,000
exhibitors, 80 product segments, innovative solutions and the
NAM-sponsored “E-Tooling Manufacturing” conference track,
all on March 5-8 in Chicago. Call (1-800) 840-0678 or go to www.manufacturingweek.com
for details.
POLICY-MAKERS FOCUS ON
ENERGY CRISIS
Heeding NAM member concerns regarding the nation’s energy
supply, key policy-makers—including Senate Energy Committee
Chair Frank Murkowski (R-AK), ranking Democrat Jeff Bingaman
(NM) and House Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chair Joe
Barton (R-TX)—will soon unveil various legislative
proposals.The NAM-led Coalition on Energy and Economic Growth
will inject industry’s voice into the upcoming debate. To
join, call (202) 637-3150.
ZOELLICK CONFIRMATION
EXPECTED TUESDAY
The Senate 2/6 is expected to confirm the nomination of Robert
Zoellick to the post of U.S. Trade Representative, completing
Senate action on President Bush’s Cabinet-level nominees.
Prior to the 2/6 vote, Democrats will likely use debate time
to underscore support for labor and environmental provisions
in future trade pacts. Zoellick last week said he would meet
with labor and environmental groups to build consensus on this
issue.
EXPORT CONTROL HEARINGS
COMMENCE WEDNESDAY
Senate Banking Committee hearings will begin 2/7 on S. 149,
legislation to reauthorize the Export Administration Act (EAA),
the chief law governing U.S. export controls. Similar
legislation cleared the Banking panel in 2000 but stalled on
the Senate floor. Key provisions in last year’s bill were
problematic for industry, but the NAM looks forward to working
with lawmakers to produce an effective and transparent export
licensing process.
REPS. NORTHUP, LUCAS HONORED
BY NAM MEMBERS IN KENTUCKY
NAM members in Kentucky 1/22 presented the NAM
Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence to Reps.
Anne Northup (R) and Ken Lucas (D). The award recognized their
pro-growth,pro-manufacturing voting records in the last
Congress. Held in Louisville, this was the first such event
jointly honoring award winners from both major parties. All
261 House and Senate recipients of the award will be honored
at a reception 2/28 during the NAM’s Manufacturing Week in
Washington, D.C.: 72 Hours to Educate and Celebrate. Visit www.nam.org/pa
for details.
ECONOMIC DATA SHOWS TOUGH
SLEDDING FOR MANUFACTURERS
Manufacturers are still experiencing what NAM President Jerry
Jasinowski calls “rough winter sledding as industrial
production, new orders and exports have hit dangerous economic
ice.” Last week’s National Association of Purchasing
Management index of manufacturing activity stood at 41.2 in
January compared to 44.3 in December. And the Commerce Dept.
reported that personal incomes rose by 0.4 percent in
December, while consumer spending rose by 0.3 percent.
“January may have been even worse than December for
manufacturers, and industry is definitely in for several more
rough months,” predicts the NAM President.
MEXICO’S FOX TO DISCUSS
SLOWING ECONOMY WITH BUSH
Mexican President Fox 2/3 said he would discuss the slowing
U.S. economy and its impact on Mexican economic growth when he
hosts President Bush later this month. During a live radio
show 2/3, Fox reiterated Mexico’s central bank forecast that
his new government would not reach economic growth targets
because of dependence on the U.S. economy, which has begun to
slow after a decade of growth. Mexico sends about 90 percent
of its exports to the United States.
DEMOCRATS MAY GAIN
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS SEAT
BNA reports Democrats are still hoping to obtain one more
Appropriations Committee seat from House Speaker Dennis
Hastert (R-IL). The Democratic Steering Committee has at least
25 vacancies to fill. Hastert has already provided an extra
Democratic seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee. However,
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), steering committee chair, has said
one more seat on Appropriations is needed.
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