Capital Briefing: April 15, 2010

More than 300 members of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) from across the nation are gathering in Washington, DC this week to participate in the second annual NAM Manufacturing Summit. In more than 150 visits with lawmakers over two days, NAM members are making a strong case for policies that will reinvigorate a struggling economy, reduce the cost of doing business in the United States, stimulate job growth and make American manufacturers more competitive.

NAM Executive Vice President Jay Timmons welcomed members to the Summit on April 14, saying “manufacturing is the heart of our economy, and manufacturing jobs lead to a better quality of life for American families.” He then roused Summit participants with a call to action, adding, “Manufacturing is the engine that can lead our country on the road back to economic recovery, and our presence on Capitol Hill can make a difference.”

During their time in Washington, DC, NAM members are focusing their Capitol Hill visits on three critical issues: job creation, taxes and labor policy.

As our nation’s unemployment rate continues to hover near 10 percent and many industrial sectors of the economy struggle to recover, promoting policies that would lead to robust job growth is a top priority for NAM members. According to a report by the NAM and conducted by the independent Milken Institute, Jobs for America: Investments and policies for economic growth and competitiveness, more than 11 million jobs can be created in the United States in this decade alone by changing key tax and economic policies and making investments in infrastructure, including energy, broadband and transportation projects.

Additionally, manufacturers are reminding legislators of the importance of crafting tax policies that will create an environment more conducive to job creation and make their companies more competitive in the global economy. Ninety-five percent of the world’s consumers are located outside the United States. The Administration’s proposed $122 billion tax increase on worldwide American companies will make manufacturers less competitive both at home and abroad. Simple steps such as restoring and extending the R&D tax credit to promote innovation and lowering America’s stifling statutory corporate tax rate – the second highest among developed nations – would generate hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs and provide a significant boost to the nation’s economy.

NAM members are also re-emphasizing their opposition to jobs-killing labor policies supported by some in Congress and the Administration. The Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) -- including alternatives that limit the amount of time employees have to decide whether or not to form a union and limit employers’ ability to communicate with employees -- is one of the most direct threats to manufacturers’ ability to compete.

Today, the NAM welcomed two distinguished officials to address the Manufacturing Summit. Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ), who spoke at the breakfast session, and Office of Management and Budget Director Dr. Peter Orszag, who spoke to NAM members over lunch. Both addressed pending policies that will have an impact on manufacturers, the economy, job growth and U.S. competitiveness.

During their time in Washington, NAM members are taking advantage of the opportunity to recount their individual experiences, discuss the outlook for their businesses and hear directly from their peers and colleagues on the most pressing issues facing the manufacturing sector.

The rules for success in the global economy are constantly changing, and manufacturers in America are all too often put at a competitive disadvantage by outdated policies that harm their ability to compete and provide high-paying jobs to American workers.

With so much at stake, the NAM’s 2010 Manufacturing Summit is a great success. NAM members are helping legislators understand the critical role of manufacturing in our nation’s economic security, and their enthusiastic response throughout the Summit demonstrates their commitment to working with leaders in Washington to get our economy back on track.

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