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<<...OLE_Obj...<< National Association of Manufacturers November 20, 2001 NAM MEMBERS' RECESS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS The House and Senate are in recess this week and will return Monday, 11/26. Please contact your legislators and urge them to take action on the following 4 issues by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. * The House is expected to vote 12/6 on trade promotion authority. Labor is fighting hard, and it is urgent you tell your representative you need TPA passed. For details, click here www.nam.org/tpatoolkit <http://www.nam.org/tpatoolkit<;. * Quick legislative action on an aggressive economic-stimulus plan is necessary. A stimulus plan must include the proposals outlined by President Bush. For details, click here www.nam.org/economytoolkit <http://www.nam.org/economytoolkit<;. * Please encourage your senator to persuade the Senate Leadership to set a date certain to debate and approve comprehensive energy legislation. * Congress must act as soon as possible on legislation to stabilize the insurance market by creating a federal backstop for terrorism insurance coverage. Additional information is available in our Briefing e-newsletter at www.nam.org/briefing_newsletter <http://www.nam.org/briefing_newsletter<. To receive a free, members-only subscription to this e-newsletter, NAM Capitol News (published every Tuesday-Friday during congressional sessions), e-mail your request to mcox@nam.org <mailto:mcox@nam.org<. MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS AS NAM, OSHA SETTLE LAWSUIT OVER RULE The NAM and the Labor Dept. (DOL) on 11/16 settled the NAM's lawsuit challenging OSHA's recordkeeping rule. It takes effect 1/1/02. The agreement requires DOL to inform its enforcement officers nationwide of the meaning of several critical provisions. OSHA will not issue citations for rule violations during the first 120 days, provided the employer attempts in good faith to meet its obligations and agrees to make corrections. To view our press statement, click www.nam.org/tertiary.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=746&DocumentID=23931 <http://www.nam.org/tertiary.asp?TrackID=&;CategoryID=746&DocumentID=23931<. PRESIDENT SIGNS STOPGAP BILL TO CONTINUE FUNDING THROUGH 12/7 President Bush 11/17 signed into law the fifth spending resolution of FY 2002 to keep unfunded government departments and agencies operating through 12/7. Five of the 13 annual spending bills have been signed into law. Congress has sent three others to the President for his signature. But five are unfinished. TERRORISM INSURANCE BILL MAY REACH WHITE HOUSE BY DECEMBER Terrorism insurance bill H.R. 3210 will pass the House next week, be reconciled with the Senate and be signed by President Bush in December, said House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX). The Ways and Means Committee on 11/16 amended the bill to eliminate provisions that would permit the insurance industry to accumulate tax-free reserves as a bulwark against losses resulting from possible future terrorist actions. The NAM is urging Congress to finalize action soon on a bill to stabilize the insurance market. TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY VOTE EXPECTED DECEMBER 6 A House vote is expected 12/6 on NAM-backed bipartisan TPA bill H.R. 3005. Many undecided lawmakers are saying they'll vote for TPA if they hear more from business. Your contacts with undecided lawmakers are urgently needed. Encourage your employees to do the same. Our TPA toolkit (www.nam.org/tpatoolkit <http://www.nam.org/tpatoolkit<;) has everything you need (the list of undecided lawmakers, talking points, sample faxes, etc.). YOUR INPUT NEEDED ON EPA PROPOSED NAAQS RULE The NAM/industry lawsuit challenging EPA's 1997 particulate matter and ozone rules prompted a federal court to send the ozone rule back to the agency to consider the beneficial health effects of ozone. EPA 11/14 proposed a new rule, but said there's not enough evidence to relax the 0.08 parts per million level in the 1997 rule. We'd like you to review the rule and provide feedback before the 1/14/02 comment deadline. It can be viewed at www.nam.org/rer <http://www.nam.org/rer<;, click "Air Quality Issues" then "NAAQS." FSC/ETI ORAL ARGUMENTS NEXT WEEK On 11/26 Dep. Treasury Sec. Kenneth Dam and Justice Dept. attorney Kent Jones will present oral arguments in defense of the ETI tax program (formerly the FSC program) before a WTO dispute-settlement appeals panel. U.S. and EU officials seek to avoid a trade confrontation and may look to the new WTO round as a vehicle for resolving differences. Rules approved at the Doha ministerial meeting this week would be broad enough to accommodate a solution if the two sides can agree. NEWS IN BRIEF * Reps. Bill Thomas (R-CA) and Charles Rangel (D-NY) said yesterday that they favor a plan to suspend Social Security payroll taxes for one month. * Arkansas voters today will choose between state Rep. Mike Hathorn (D) and optometrist John Boozman (R) to replace ex-Rep. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR). * Gov. Howard Dean (D-VT) has taken the first step toward a possible 2004 presidential bid by forming a federal PAC. * State Rep. James Durkin (R-IL) yesterday announced his candidacy for the GOP Senate nomination. * Houston City Councilman Carroll Robinson (D) yesterday became a candidate for Senate candidate Rep. Ken Bentsen's (D-TX) redrawn House seat. * Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA) announced yesterday he plans to run for re-election. * President Bush will meet today with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the White House. For additional information on the issues covered in this report, contact Doug Kurkul, Tim Lugbill or Grant Cole at (202) 637-3187 in the NAM's Member Communications Department. Copyright 2001 National Association of Manufacturers Capitol News is available online. Click here <http://www.nam.org/member_secondary.asp?TrackID=&CategoryID=117< to view online. To unsubscribe, e-mail Jim Sonick, jsonick@nam.org <mailto:jsonick@nam.org<.
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