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06/28/2013

Manufacturers Storm the Hill to Advance Growth Agenda

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More than 500 manufacturers of all sizes from across the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., June 19–20 for the NAM’s 2013 Manufacturing Summit. National Association of Manufacturer (NAM) members met with 210 members of Congress as well as key Administration officials and congressional leaders during this annual two-day, action-packed fly-in event. A record number of manufacturers attended the Summit. NAHAD is a member association of NAM.

“It’s critical that we get our voices heard,” Tenneco Inc. Chairman and CEO and NAM Board Vice Chair Gregg Sherrill told Summit delegates. “The sheer number of you here is very powerful for advancing our manufacturing agenda.”

“Our leaders are paying attention,” added NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Manufacturing is in the spotlight, and it’s no surprise. After all, manufacturing is key to creating prosperity and opportunity for future generations. We make things in the United States. We innovate. We power the economy. We can put Americans back to work. But Congress has to make the right choices—and that’s where you come in. You are critical to our success.”

House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) addressed all Summit attendees on June 20 to share his insights about the legislative and political outlook for economic growth and job creation. “I’ve been coming to NAM Summits now for many years, and I always appreciate the chance to talk with people who deal with the number-one issue on the minds of Americans, and that’s jobs and our economy,” Speaker Boehner told NAM members. The Wall Street Journal covered Speaker Boehner’s address in its MarketWatch blog and “Washington Wire” news article. 

Earlier in the day, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Rep. John Larson (D-CT), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, spoke with Summit attendees about the outlook for critical energy and tax policy issues. Click here for our Shopfloor blog post and here for news coverage of Chairman Upton’s remarks in The Detroit News.   

The Summit provided a strong platform for NAM members to voice their concerns to members of Congress about what is needed to help manufacturers compete in the global economy. This year, our focus was on tax policy, energy, immigration reform and infrastructure—four of the critical issues included in the NAM’s Growth Agenda.  

Manufacturers had a huge opportunity to educate new members of Congress about the manufacturing economy and how to make the United States a more competitive place to do business. In the Senate, 47 senators are in their first six years of service, and 169 members (or 39 percent) of the House of Representatives are serving in their first or second term.  

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