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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
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