Political Quotes

“we would not be here debating this bill if we would just enforce our trade laws according to the law. The European Union does, Japan does, why cannot the United States? Foreign mills are dumping steel on the American market for $200 to $400 a ton less than it costs to produce. Dumping. That is what it is. It is illegal. And if the administration will not stop it, then the Congress must. America's steel producers and steelworkers played by the rules. They made hard sacrifices in the 1980s to make this the most competitive, efficient and unsubsidized steel industry in the world. It is only because of illegal and unfair trading practices that our industry is being undercut here at home. The need for action is clear, compelling and convincing. The bill before us, H.R. 975, is common sense and bipartisan. It will reduce steel imports to 25 percent of the U.S. market. That is the level that played in 1997, before the dumping began. It authorizes the U.S. Customs Service to refuse entry to any steel product that exceeds allowable levels. It also includes Mr. Regula's language to establish a steel monitoring system, so that we can avert this situation in the future. This is good legislation and an appropriate response to this crisis. Finally, I would note that because of the import flux produced by dumping and other illegal trade practices, 11,000 American steel workers have lost their jobs.”