[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 22 (Tuesday, March 5, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H658-H659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    PROTECT U.S. STEEL MANUFACTURERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the order of the House of 
January 23, 2002, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence) is recognized 
during morning hour debates for 5 minutes.
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong advocate of free trade. As an 
original co-sponsor of Presidential Trade Promotion Authority, I fought 
on the floor of this very Chamber to give this President the ability to 
negotiate down trade barriers because I simply believe, as a Hoosier 
Member of this institution, that trade means jobs from automotive and 
manufactured exports to agricultural exports that we grow in such 
abundance in the heartland of Indiana.
  But the reality is that, in the arena of worldwide steel, unfair 
trade practices and steel dumping have actually destroyed jobs in this 
country and impaired our national security.
  Today we learned that President Bush has decided to impose selective 
tariffs of up to 30 percent on foreign steel imports using section 201 
of the Trade Act. I rise today to commend the President on his decision 
to protect the American steel industry and, more than that, to lay the 
foundation to protect America's national security for generations to 
come.
  The reality is America is recovering from a mild recession, and we 
must ensure that our Nation and our economy continues on a full path of 
recovery. A thriving steel industry will significantly aid in this 
task. However, the steel industry has been under increased pressure 
from unfairly subsidized imports of foreign steel. Foreign companies 
and governments have undermined our domestic industry through dumping 
practices and eroded our own ability to manufacture steel in this 
country.
  In response to this problem, the International Trade Commission 
conducted an investigation and held hearings at which I had the 
privilege of testifying. The ITC unanimously found that low-priced 
imports have seriously injured domestic steel production in the United 
States. Every American should understand the steel industry has been 
facing years of unfair competition. These unfair trade practices have 
already caused over 30 bankruptcies in the steel industry and cost 
thousands of American jobs.
  Steel production is the bedrock of a viable manufacturing base, but I 
also would add today that it is absolutely imperative to our national 
security. America must not become dependent on foreign steel, as we 
have become dependent on foreign oil.

                              {time}  1245

  The reality is, as the caskets are slowly lowered off the transport 
aircraft at Andrews Air Force Base today, the Chinooks, the Black Hawk 
helicopters, the rifles, the artillery that are being fired at this 
hour in the

[[Page H659]]

mountains of eastern Afghanistan are made of steel, Mr. Speaker; and 
the ability of the United States of America to manufacture steel, 
merchantable steel, is at the very essence of our ability to provide 
for the common defense.
  It also strengthens our economy. In Indiana, 30,000 families make 
their livelihood in the steel industry. Increased efficiency and 
technological innovation combined with our hard-working employees have 
made the steel industry the envy of the world. Yet our policies have 
been rewarding uncompetitive and destructive behavior. Domestic steel 
production is vital to the national interest; it is vital to 
strengthening our economy.
  I commend the President of the United States today as we anticipate 
his decision, selective tariffs, using section 201 of the Trade Act. It 
is important that we support the steel industry in America long term 
and preserve our ability to produce the arsenal of democracy which 
gives the enemies of freedom pause and gives the friends of freedom 
hope all across the world.

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