[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1332-S1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      THE STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I thank the steelworkers of America for 
coming to Washington, DC, today. I think it is a historic gathering. 
Time is not neutral or on the side of these workers and their families, 
including the taconite workers in the Iron Range in Minnesota. I could 
spend hours on our trade policy and the ways in which I do not think we 
have a fair trade policy. But when you have the best workers who care 
fiercely about their families and their communities in our country and 
essentially the dumping of steel and, for that matter, semifinished 
steel in our market, way below the cost of production in other 
countries, much less quite often produced at wages that are deplorable 
wages, the effect is devastating.
  The request and the demand of the White House, which follows up on an 
International Trade Commission recommendation, is for a 40-percent 
import fee. If we get that fee, then we will be able to compete 
effectively. If we don't get that fee, I think it will be very 
difficult to see a future for the steel industry in our country. There 
will be no way we can cover legacy costs, health care costs of 
retirees; and a whole lot of very decent, good, working people are 
going to be spat out of this economy.
  Nobody is asking for a leg up on anybody else. Frankly, when you see 
the

[[Page S1333]]

import surge of the last several years--so much of this well below cost 
of production--and you see the impact on people, you know we ought to 
do something.
  So the President has until the beginning of next week to act. We call 
on him to do the right thing. We believe it is the right thing. There 
are going to be steelworkers from all across the country today. There 
are going to be marching bands from high schools from all across the 
country today. I have been told there may be more than 10,000 
steelworkers coming to Washington, DC, for themselves, for their 
children, their communities, and for the country. I hope their voice is 
listened to.
  I yield the floor and suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
order for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Landrieu). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
  The Senator from Alaska.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
allowed to speak in morning business for 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is a 10-minute time limitation. Without 
objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. MURKOWSKI. I thank the Chair and welcome the occupant, the 
Senator from Louisiana. I look forward to providing her with some 
factual information this morning, not that she has not been exposed to 
factual information before.

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