March 5, 2004 Letter to Under Secretary Aldonas, Senators Warner and Allen
and Representative Moran
and Representative Moran
PO Box 8208
Alexandria, VA 22306-8208
March 5, 2004
Under Secretary Grant Aldonas
International Trade Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
Washington, DC 20230
The Honorable John William Warner
United States Senate
225 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4601
The Honorable George F. Allen
United States Senate
204 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510-4604
The Honorable James P. Moran
U.S House of Representatives
2239 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-4608
I understand a number of furniture manufacturers have petitioned the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to impose tariffs on bedroom furniture imports from China. These manufacturers, as always, claim that new tariffs will “level the playing field.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Labor costs, taxes and excessive government regulation are responsible for the competitive difficulty American manufacturers face, not free trade.
New tariffs will only serve to cause retail furniture prices to escalate, resulting in lost sales and jobs. I support free trade, and strongly urge you to oppose new tariffs and trade barriers, that will burden American businesses and consumers to protect a few companies. Please tell the ITC we need free trade, not tariffs.
Tariffs are protectionism. Protectionism is big government. Big government costs me money. Anything a legislator supports that costs me money may cost them my vote.
Sincerely,
James Landrith
March 26, 2004
Mr. James Landrith
P.O. Box 8208
Alexandria, Virginia 22306-8208
Dear Mr. Landrith:
Thank you for sharing your comments regarding the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. I appreciate you taking the time to write and allowing me this opportunity to respond.
Communities throughout Virginia have been devastated by factory closings. Textile and apparel mills, furniture manufacturers and various technology sectors, have battled through several rounds of downsizing and a heightened number of factory closings and bankruptcies.
The United States must maintain a prominent and active role in the global economy, finding new markets and expanding opportunities for U.S. products and services worldwide. Trade is important to creating jobs, promoting economic growth and raising the standard of living for the average American family
On August 6, 2002, President Bush signed into law H.R.3009, the Trade Promotion Authority bill. The legislation provides for reauthorization of the Andean Trade Preference Act and expanded and enhanced Trade Adjustment Assistance for workers who have lost their jobs because of change related to trade.
Included in the legislation were provisions to provide Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). TAA extends unemployment benefits and job training to workers left jobless when imported goods have contributed importantly to their job loss. Ensuring that financial assistance and training is available to workers through TAA and related programs helps to provide them with the skills necessary to enhance their opportunities in the changing economy. To that end, I have worked closely with Senator George Allen and my colleagues in the Virginia congressional delegation to ensure that the U.S. Department of Labor awards TAA benefits to workers in affected industries, such as textile manufacturing, as expeditiously as possible.
The economy grew at an average rate of 6.1 percent in the second half of 2003, the fastest back-to back quarterly increase in economic growth since the first two quarters of 1984, but creating new domestic jobs to keep pace with our overall economic turnaround remains a congressional priority.
In recent months, there have been various proposals introduced in the Senate aimed at protecting workforce labor as our economy recovers. In addition, several bills have been introduced in Congress aimed at providing tax incentives to American manufacturers including the textile industry. In the Senate, S.1637, the Jumpstart Our Business Strength (JOBS) Act, was introduced by Senator Charles Grassley (R LA). The bill aims at promoting job growth through tax incentives to all domestic manufactures. Currently, thiş bill is being debated on the Senate floor.
Please be assured of my continued involvement as this bill moves through the legislative process. I remain deeply committed to preserving the quality of life enjoyed by all Virginians.
I deeply appreciate your informative and concerned viewpoints. Communications such as yours provide an important means to evaluate the interest and concerns of Virginians. If government is to be effective, public officials must be aware of the interests of the people they serve.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your views with me.
With kind regards, I am
Sincerely,
John Wamer
JW/vas