Bart Stupak: “the health of the domestic steel industry is vital to our nation, and it is the lifeblood of my district of northern…”

“the health of the domestic steel industry is vital to our nation, and it is the lifeblood of my district of northern Michigan. Without meaningful comprehensive relief, 40% tariffs over 4 years for all segments of the steel industry, including slab steel we will not recover from the current crisis. Only the strongest of remedies can offer any hope for our nation's steel and iron ore industries to survive. Over 30 steel companies are in bankruptcy, including the LTV Corporation, a part owner and customer of the Empire Mine in northern Michigan. Michigan's iron ore mines have felt the impact of these bankruptcies as the steel companies that have been their customers go out of business one by one. Most recently as a result of LTV's bankruptcy, the Empire Mine has been shut down, and over 800 employees are currently out of work. With the Empire Mine shut down, Michigan has only one remaining iron ore mine, the Tilden Mine which is located in Marquette County. The Empire and the Tilden Mines have been a vital part of the economies of the Upper Peninsula and the state of Michigan.”