AMTonline: e-News from Washington

eNews from Washington - June 14, 2013

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 EST

Revelations continued to come regarding the NSA's surveillance programs, putting the Obama administration on the defensive. Multiple congressional committees say they will look into the matter. This week also marked the start of debate on comprehensive immigration reform in the Senate. Finally, a host of Obama administration nominees won committee votes, but his EPA pick is still in limbo.

eNews from Washington - June 7, 2013

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama took an aggressive tack this week, naming controversial U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice his NSA, while at the same time nominating three judges to an important federal court. Elsewhere, it was revealed that the NSA is collecting daily mobile phone user data from Verizon customers. Meanwhile, the IRS continues to endure criticism: this week it was revealed the agency spent $49 million on conferences from 2010-12. And the spiraling problem of sexual assault in the military was on display at congressional hearings.

eNews from Washington - May31, 2013

Fri, 31 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

With Congress in recess, Republicans continued to highlight controversies surrounding the administration, with members of the House Judiciary Committee questioning whether Attorney General Eric Holder lied under oath. In other news, Rep. Michele Bachmann said she will not seek another term; President Obama is likely to tap James Comey as FBI director; and the advocacy group Organizing for Action, which was created from Obama's reelection campaign, is taking on climate change.

eNews from Washington - May 24, 2013

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

The controversy over the IRS and its treatment of conservative groups dominated both Congress and the White House as lawmakers launched multiple inquiries this week. In other news, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed an immigration bill that includes an increase in the H-1b visa cap; Tesla repaid its government loan 9 years early; the controversy over the administration tracking journalists expanded; and President Obama's cabinet picks continued to wind through Congress.

Obama Administration seeks applicants for first phase of ‘Investing in Manufacturing Communities’ Partnership

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

The Obama Administration is accepting applications for the first phase of the “Investing in Manufacturing Communities” Partnership, a new initiative intended to boost manufacturing and job creation. In the first phase, 25 grants of up to $200,000 each will be awarded to help regions develop long-term economic development strategies. These “Implementation Strategies” will encourage collaboration at the local level to identify the region’s comparative advantages and assets, and plan investments to expand the area’s appeal to manufacturers. AMT members are encouraged to explore this opportunity with regional partners and community organizations.

eNews from Washington - May 10, 2013

Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

The terrorist attack in Benghazi last year dominated this week, as State Department personnel gave emotional testimony before the House Oversight committee in a politically charged hearing. In other news, senators continued to weigh immigration reform; former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford won a seat in Congress; and Republicans may be readying to filibuster Labor Secretary nominee Thomas Perez.

Obama Administration Launches Competition for Three New Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

May 9 - The Obama Administration has announced the competitions to create three new manufacturing innovation institutes with a Federal commitment of $200 million across five Federal agencies – Defense, Energy, Commerce, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. The Department of Defense will lead two of the new Institutes, focused on “Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation” and “Lightweight and Modern Metals Manufacturing,” and the Department of Energy will be leading one new institute on “Next Generation Power Electronics Manufacturing.”

NLRB on Notice: Court Tears Down Poster Rule

Tue, 07 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

May 7 - Today, the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (of which AMT is a long-standing member) lauded the U.S. District Court of Appeals for Washington, DC, which invalidated a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule requiring employers to install workplace posters that provide information about union organizing, bargaining and protests.

eNews from Washington - May 3, 2013

Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

As the investigation and arrests continued in the Boston Marathon bombings, Congress is beginning its own look at the U.S. response. In other news, President Obama wants more information before he decides how to enforce the "red line" on chemical weapons in Syria; some lawmakers say the Senate's immigration bill won't fly in the House; and Democratic Rep. Ed Markey will face Republican Gabriel Gomez for the Senate seat in Massachusetts.

eNews from Washington - April 26, 2013

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

This week, the White House holds a science fair; Congress takes on immigration reform; OMB Director is confirmed, while vote on Labor is delayed; and the stalemate continues on the budget. Lastly, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) announces his retirement.

eNews from Washington - April 19, 2013

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

It was a tense week in Washington and around the country, after deadly bomb blasts at the Boston Marathon and ricin letters headed for the White House and Congress were intercepted. In other news, the Senate voted down a compromise on gun control and a bipartisan group of senators unveiled an immigration bill that at its heart, provides a pathway to legal status and citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

eNews from Washington - April 12, 2013

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama introduced HIS budget this week that seeks to reform entitlement programs and serve as a gesture of compromise, but Republicans aren't buying it. In other news, a deal reached on gun control; the president's nominees are faring well in their confirmation efforts; and North Korea continued its threats.

eNews from Washington - April 5, 2013

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama continued his push for gun control legislation this week, though lawmakers in states like Connecticut and Colorado have moved faster and farther than Congress. In other news, the U.S. has responded to North Korea's threats of war; Senators in both parties have continued to pledge support for same-sex marriage; and both chambers of Congress are moving forward on immigration reform proposals.

eNews from Washington - March 29, 2013

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Congress was in recess this week. That means lawmakers are getting an earful back home on issues of concern to them, including the effect of the sequester cuts as the impact begins to be felt across the country.

eNews from Washington - March 22, 2013

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Congress passed a bill that will keep the government running through the rest of this fiscal year, averting a potential shut down. The House approved a FY14 budget that seeks to balance the budget over the next 10 years by cutting spending by $4.6 trillion and reforming Medicare. The Skills Act passed the House and is under consideration in the Senate, where it has almost no chance of passing.

eNews from Washington - March 15, 2013

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

The 2014 budget is the big story this week. Drastically different blueprints were introduced in the House and Senate. One balances the budget in 10 years. The other spends as much as it raises. The President admitted the gulf between the two may be too wide to reach a "grand bargain." Meanwhile, there is still the issue of 2013. The federal government runs out of money by the end of the month if Congress doesn't act quickly to pass another continuing resolution.

e-News from Washington - March 1, 2013

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EST

Sequestration takes effect today. Jacob Lew is overwhelmingly confirmed as Treasury Secretary while Chuck Hagel is confirmed as Secretary of Defense with the smallest support margin since 1947. Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) announces a new Congressional Academic Competition for STEM Education.

e-News from Washington - February 22, 2013

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama urges Congress to stop the sequester before the looming March 1 deadline. Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles offer a new deficit reduction plan that calls for deeper cuts in spending over taxes (by a 3:1 ration) than their first proposal. A draft immigration bill is leaked from the Administration. John Kerry leaves for Europe and the Middle East on his first overseas trip as Secretary of State.

e-News from Washington - Feb, 15, 2013

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama highlights manufacturing in an emotional State of the Union address. Check out the White House fact sheet: The President’s Plan to Make America a Magnet for Jobs by Investing in Manufacturing. Sequester is looking more and more likely despite some desperate pleas to avoid it. Senate confirmation of Chuck Hagel for Defense Secretary hits a snag, while Jacob Lew is expected to be easily confirmed after a sufficiently tough grilling.

e-News from Washington - Feb, 8, 2013

Fri, 08 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama will deliver the State of the Union next Tuesday. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) will deliver the bilingual GOP response. Chuck Hagel's confirmation hits a snag, as John Brennan is grilled on drones. Plus, Obama urges Congress to pass a short-term package of spending cuts to avert the “sequester.” Gun control and immigration reform are still on the front burner.

e-News from Washington - Feb 1, 2013

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 EST

John Kerry is easily confirmed as Secretary of State, while Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel faces a tougher road. A bipartisan immigration reform framework is presented in the Senate and endorsed by the President. The Senate takes up the debt ceiling extension. And a congressional hearing on gun violence featuring former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords dominates the national conversation. 

Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduce STEM Visa Bill

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

Senators Hatch (R-UT), Klobuchar (D-MN), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Chris Coons (D-DE) have introduced the Immigration Innovation (I²) Act of 2013. The bill would bring long-overdue reforms to the nation’s immigration laws for highly-skilled workers. It focuses on four areas for reform:  employment-based nonimmigrant visas (H-1B visas); student visas; immigrant visas and green cards; and STEM education and worker retraining. Please join AMT in thanking the Senators for their leadership in helping to build the Smartforce. 

e-News from Washington - Jan 25, 2013

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

The President outlined his agenda during his inaugural address, and his priorities shifted noticeably to the left. Meanwhile, the House approved an extension of the debt ceiling buying time to deal with sequester and funding the government beyond March. Plus cabinet confirmation hearings, Benghazi testimony and a possible 2016 run by Joe Biden inside this week's e-News.

eNews from Washington -Jan 11, 2013

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

The Cabinet for the second Obama Administration is shaping up with nominations this week, including White House Chief of Staff Jacob Lew to replace Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska to succeed outgoing Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

eNews from Washington -Jan 4, 2013

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

The President signed the fiscal cliff deal this week with only moments to spare before we fell into the abyss, but neither side is particularly thrilled with the result. It could have been worse, and it could have been a lot better. In the end, several business tax incentives were temporarily extended and the estate tax was set permanently at 40%. Where Congress will go from here is anybody's guess, but work begins immediately as the 113th Congress has been sworn in.

Bonus Depreciation Extended/Sec. 179 Increased in Fiscal Cliff Deal

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 00:00:00 EST

President Obama signed “The American Tax Relief Act of 2012” into law. The new law includes an extension of 50% bonus depreciation through 2013 and increases Sec. 179 expensing limits for 2012 and 2013. This is a major victory for manufacturers. One-page fact sheet on the depreciation provisions.

eNews from Washington - Dec 14, 2012

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00:00 EST

President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner remained far apart in negotiations to avert the pending fiscal cliff. In addition, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she does not expect to run for president in 2016; North Korea launched a long-range rocket, despite warnings from the West; and Michigan passed a right-to-work law with far-reaching implications.

AMT Signs Small Business Letter Urging Comprehensive Tax Reform

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined 40 organizations representing small businesses on a letter to Congressional leaders urging comprehensive tax reform that lowers rates for all businesses, including those organized as pass-through entities. Solely reforming the corporate tax code does not take into account the millions of businesses that are sole propietorships, limited partnerships and Subchapter S-corporations, such as many AMT members, that will see their taxes increase if current top marginal rates on individuals are allowed to expire.  

eNews from Washington - Nov 9, 2012

Fri, 09 Nov 2012 00:00:00 EST

Election results dominate the news this week. What will the new Cabinet look like? Plus what happens next in Congress. A full agenda for the lame duck session and beyond.

e-News from Washington - October 12, 2012

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 06:00:00 EST

With just 25 days and counting until Election Day, most of the news stories this week focused on the close race between President Obama and Governor Romney. Plus, the Administration attempts to explain contradictions in Libya attack and takes a tough stance on Chinese solar imports.

eNews from Washington - Oct 4, 2012

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

The first Presidential debate is over with Mitt Romney declared the winner. Plus more on the fiscal cliff, the economy, jobs stats and the congressional elections. Read it here in eNews from Washington!

Bill to Boost American Manufacturing Passes House on Strong Bipartisan Vote

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

Legislation sponsored by Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to require the development of a national strategy to revitalize American manufacturing and create jobs was approved today by the House of Representatives. The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, H.R. 5865, passed with an overwhelming vote, 339-77. The House’s approval sets up the opportunity for Senate consideration prior to the year’s end.

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Blank Cuts the Ribbon at IMTS

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank traveled to Chicago to deliver remarks at IMTS, hosted by AMT- The Association For Manufacturing Technology. Dr. Blank discussed the importance of manufacturing to boosting U.S. economic growth, job creation and exports and highlighted the administration's continuing efforts to build things here and sell them everywhere.

AMT Receives Market Development Cooperator Program Award

Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank announced on IMTS Opening Day that AMT -The Association For Manufacturing Technology will receive a 2012 award through through the International Trade Administration’s Market Development Cooperator Program to pursue a project that will promote U.S. exports and increase its members' competitiveness abroad.

MAPI: Macroeconomic Impacts of Federal Regulation of the Manufacturing Sector

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

Public awareness about the importance of manufacturing’s role in economic growth is on the rise. Concurrently, concern is increasing about the number of federal regulations on the books, the rate at which the number of new regulations is growing, and the impact of regulation on business—particularly manufacturing.

National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining Selected to Lead Pilot Innovation Institute on Additive Manufacturing

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Obama Administration has announced the launch of a new public-private institute for manufacturing innovation as part of its ongoing efforts to help revitalize American manufacturing and encourage companies to invest in the United States. This new partnership, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute (NAMII), was selected through a competitive process. The winning consortium is led by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining and includes manufacturing firms, universities, community colleges, and non-profit organizations from the Ohio-Pennsylvania-West Virginia ‘Tech Belt. AMT, MTConnect and several AMT members will participate.

e-News from Washington - August Recess

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

It’s August, and that means “Recess!” in our nation’s capital. Take advantage of this time to talk to your elected leaders about taxes and other issues important to your business. Set up a meeting or a tour of your facility to show your elected officials firsthand what it means to be an American manufacturer. Visit AMT's Advocacy page to review the issues, get tips for conducting a successful plant tour and send a letter to your Senators and Representatives.

AMT Signs Industry/Association Letter Supporting Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined 325 U.S. companies and industry associations in a letter to Congress supporting a swift reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im). Ex-Im’s charter expired on September 30, 2011.The Bank is currently operating under an extension that expires on May 31. Failure to act quickly on a long-term reauthorization threatens the many American jobs that depend directly or indirectly on its crucial export financing.