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News
Vinyl Industry Advocates Take to Capitol Hill
More than 50 vinyl business leaders took to Capitol Hill on May 15 to highlight key industry issues and press members of Congress and their staffs for support. In the course of almost 100 meetings, they asked for support in areas ranging from regulatory reform to water infrastructure.
It is critically important that members of Congress hear directly from the vinyl industry, before they vote on legislation like infrastructure, trade and open competition. Our meetings in DC made a difference in growing more support for the industry,” said Dick Heinle, chairman of the VI and Vice President and General Manager of the Vinyl Division of Formosa Plastics Corporation, USA.
On water infrastructure, vinyl advocates asked elected officials to increase funding for water infrastructure programs and require open competition in designing and bidding on piping systems in order to stretch taxpayers’ dollars and lower local ratepayers’ costs. In particular, vinyl advocates asked House lawmakers to co-sponsor the Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act (HR 1497), which authorizes $22.5 billion in new federal funding for clean water infrastructure over the next five years.
On trade, vinyl advocates pushed lawmakers to support passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). They also urged their elected officials to continue to support NAFTA until the USMCA is implemented. In addition, they asked lawmakers to:
- Limit disruptions to global supply chains that harm U.S. businesses, including the vinyl industry.
- Increase certainty with trading partners while opening markets to U.S. exports.
Vinyl business leaders also repeatedly stressed that international trade is essential for a vibrant vinyl industry as well as a more sustainable U.S. global economy.
Key Washington insiders provide their insights.
The day before going to Capitol Hill, vinyl industry participants received updates and insights on housing, transportation, and other topics from a series of Washington insiders. Speakers at the event included EPA Assistant Administrator Alexandra Dunn, National Association of Home Builders CEO and President, Gerald Howard, Surface Transportation Board Co-Chair, Patrick Fuchs, Editor and Publisher of the Cook Report, Charlie Cook and FOX News Contributor Matt Schlapp. In addition, the organization honored Representative John Katko (R-NY) as the inaugural Vinyl Congressional Champion for his tireless efforts to support funding for water infrastructure.