On the recordMarch 6, 2012
I thank Mr. Levin. As a cosponsor of this bill, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4105. In 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Department of Commerce did not have the authority to impose countervailing duties on goods from nonmarket economies. Of the 24 countervailing duties currently in place against goods from nonmarket economies, 23 are for China. Without the legislative action we are proposing today to overturn this ruling, it is very likely that these current countervailing duties would be negated. This is unacceptable, and we cannot stand by when over 80,000 American manufacturing jobs are at stake. Almost every State is impacted by this decision, and almost every congressional district in Pennsylvania has companies that would be affected if this legislation does not pass. We must take action today and pass H.R. 4105 to overturn a flawed court ruling and to ensure that the Department of Commerce can continue to fight unfair subsidies that hurt American manufacturers and American workers. We must level the playing field, and I strongly urge my colleagues to stand with American workers and pass this bill. {time} 1300
