[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 18]
[House]
[Page 25088]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           CALLING FOR LEGISLATION TO AID THE STEEL INDUSTRY

  (Mr. CARDIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues have talked about 
before we go home, we must pass a stimulus package. I agree that we 
cannot go home without doing something for the people who have lost 
their jobs as a result of the recession and the attack on our country. 
And we must do something for the steelworkers so they do not become 
part of the people collecting unemployment insurance in our community. 
We have to protect the retirees for the health benefits that they are 
currently receiving.
  We need to do this because the price of steel in this country is 
below cost, international cost, because our trade policies have allowed 
dumped, subsidized steel to come into the United States. Our own trade 
policy has reduced capacity so we have what is known as legacy cost, 
high cost for the steel industry for retirees.
  This House, this body, must pass legislation helping the steel 
industry before we leave town. It is our responsibility to do it. We 
must create a level playing field. If we do, steel in the United States 
can compete with steel produced anywhere in the world on quality and 
cost. Yes, we must pass legislation before we go home.

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