By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Monday, U.S. Sens. Jeff Sessions (R) from Alabama, Jay Rockefeller (D) from West Virginia, Sherrod Brown (D) from Ohio, and Pat Toomey (R)f from Pennsylvania issued written statements today to announce the formation of the bipartisan Senate Steel Caucus. Sens. Sessions and Rockefeller will serve as the co-chairmen, while Sens. Brown and Toomey will serve as the vice-chairmen.
Chairman Sessions said, “The steel industry has long been a foundational industry for Alabama’s economy and the nation’s. Despite unfair and illegal trade practices from foreign competitors, American steel remains strong even during these tough economic times. But the legitimate interests of the American worker must be defended on the world stage. The mission of the Caucus is to ensure fair, lawful trade and to create a climate where private sector growth occurs and more good paying jobs are created. Unfair steel competition hurts the industry and workers. A renaissance of American manufacturing starts with steel. The critical mission of this caucus is to focus on the steel industry which is critical to our national security and economic growth.”
Chairman Rockefeller said. “West Virginia’s steel history runs deep with workers who have literally built this nation. I have fought to level the playing field for the hard working men and women in the steel industry, though we have still seen the strains from unfair competition abroad that these workers have faced. We need to make sure our steelworkers can compete on a level playing field and that we’re helping to keep those jobs here at home. That’s exactly what we will work to accomplish with the Steel Caucus.”
Vice Chairman Toomey said, “Western Pennsylvania is known as the heart of steel country. The production of steel is key to our state and national economy. It is an integral component in products we find everywhere from our cars to our kitchens. I appreciate Senators Rockefeller and Sessions’ efforts to help ensure that American steel producers and the industries they supply remain strong to boost our national security and our economy.”
Vice Chairman Brown said, “The steel industry is pivotal to Ohio’s already strong manufacturing base. I will continue to fight for Ohio steel producers and workers, especially against unfair imports. Our state is adding manufacturing jobs for the first time since the 1990s and the Steel Caucus will help to continue that progress.”
The Senate Steel Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of Senators that is dedicated to promoting American manufacturing and the steel industry. The caucus will be a forum for policy discussions regarding issues affecting the American steel industry. 153,700 American work in the steel industry. There are over 100 steel facilities in the United States, including U.S. Steel in Fairfield and Thyssenkrupp in Mobile. The American steel industry is a $75 billion a year industry.
Senator Jefferson “Jeff” Beauregard Sessions III lives in Mobile and has served as Alabama Attorney General as well as a U.S. Attorney before being elected to the Senate in 1996.
