[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  EARTHQUAKER DEVICES SOUNDS THE ALARM

  (Mrs. Sykes of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to lift up the voice of Julie 
Robbins, a small business owner from Akron, Ohio, who is sounding the 
alarm on behalf of hardworking Americans across the country.
  EarthQuaker Devices is a homegrown success story in downtown Akron, 
located in Ohio's 13th Congressional District. They manufacture guitar 
effect pedals, which are sold across the world, and everything from 
design to assembly is done right here in the United States.
  EarthQuaker Devices employs 34 workers and offers premium health 
insurance, paid sick leave, a 401(k) match, and competitive wages.
  In 2019, they were recognized as the SBA Exporter of the Year. In 
2022, after decades of success, they invested in a state-of-the-art 
automated production line.
  This is what American manufacturing should look like, and it is the 
kind of manufacturing that helped build the middle class in Ohio and 
across the heartland.
  When we talk about supporting American businesses, EarthQuaker is who 
we should be talking about, and that is why I am talking about them 
today.
  Today, they are facing devastating consequences. Mr. Speaker, you may 
ask why. It is because of reckless tariff policies.
  EarthQuaker Devices imports raw materials because there are no 
domestic suppliers for the specialized electronic components that they 
need, but they export even more than they import. That means they bring 
in more money to our economy. They create jobs right here at home and 
in my district.
  The President's tariffs have increased their cost of goods by 
$500,000. Let me be more specific. The cost per pedal that currently 
costs $0.02 would increase to $12.80 by the end of the year, according 
to an article in the Akron Beacon Journal. That is a 640 percent 
increase in costs.
  With no relief in sight, they are being forced to raise prices, cut 
staff, and halt domestic innovation, all because of a policy that was 
supposed to help American manufacturing.
  Julie wrote to me earlier this year, and she said: ``Our effective 
tax rate has skyrocketed, with no explanation or benefit to us. . . . 
Where is the relief for businesses? Does the government truly not 
understand the impact of their actions, or is it their goal to destroy 
us?''
  She goes on to say: ``For the first time, I am considering offshoring 
our manufacturing. This had never been an option for me, but these 
changes imposed on American businesses make it extremely difficult to 
manufacture here.''
  Mr. Speaker, think about that for a moment. The President's tariff 
policy, which he alleges is meant to drive domestic innovation and 
manufacturing, is causing a small but mighty business in Akron to 
consider offshoring their manufacturing.
  This doesn't help Ohio's 13th District and the State of Ohio, and it 
does not help the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, let's be very clear. Tariffs are a useful tool to level 
the playing field, and, when properly implemented, they can create jobs 
and spur manufacturing. As someone from northeast Ohio, I have seen the 
consequences of bad trade deals and the impact of NAFTA. We are also 
home to President William McKinley, who the President often quotes and 
references in his trade policy, but it is 2025, and it is not making 
America great again to push American manufacturing offshore.
  Ohio exports more to Canada than its next six largest foreign markets 
combined. This country slapped tariffs on our allies. They retaliated, 
and it is our workers, businesses, and communities who pay the price. 
Foreign governments are not paying for these taxes, as the President 
has claimed.
  In 2023, Ohio exported over $58 billion of goods and services. That 
is not just trade. It is opportunity, jobs, and growth, and it is all 
being put at risk because of impulsive executive orders and a Congress 
that refuses to check and balance the administration.
  If our goal is to stop offshoring and revitalize American 
manufacturing, why are we punishing the companies that are driving 
innovation, the ones who are footing the bill?
  EarthQuaker Devices isn't some multinational conglomerate dodging 
taxes and hiding profits offshore. They are a small business that 
turned a passion for music and creativity into a business. They are our 
neighbors. They care about our community, and they give back. We should 
make it easier for them, not harder.
  To lower costs, let's go after the price-gouging billionaires and 
corporate monopolies, not small business owners keeping our communities 
alive.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge this body to listen to the voices of our 
constituents like Julie. Julie closed her letter to me with a plea not 
just for her business but for future generations and for the future of 
manufacturing in this country.
  Let us not fail them. Let us not fail Americans.

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