AMTonline: e-News from Washington

e-News from Washington (February 10, 2012)

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The House approves limited line-item veto power for President Obama. Companies begin urging Congress to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank. Transportation bill in Congress is on the move after the Senate decided to debate it.

AMT Signs Association Letter Urging Bonus Depreciation Extension

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined 115 associations in urging House and Senate conferees to add a temporary extension of 100% bonus depreciation to the payroll tax cut bill they are considering. Current law allows businesses to immediately expense 50% of the cost new equipment bought and placed in service in 2012, down from 100% in 2011. The associations urged the lawmakers to extend 100% expensing through 2012 to support business investment and job creation.

e-News from Washington (February 3, 2012)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

The unemployment rate fell again last month. The Senate passes the STOCK Act. Debates over taxes and regulations continue.

e-News from Washington (January 27, 2012)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

President Obama delivers his third State of the Union address with a strong emphasis on manufacturing. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords stepped down from Congress. Senate approved a raise in the debt limit.

FACT SHEET: President Obama’s Blueprint to Support U.S. Manufacturing Jobs, Discourage Outsourcing, and Encourage Insourcing

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

In his State of the Union address, President Obama laid out a Blueprint for an America Built to Last, encouraging companies to create manufacturing jobs in the United States. Here's the Administration's Fact Sheet on the proposals to support American manufacturing.

e-News from Washington (January 20, 2012)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Obama Administration lessens restrictions for tourist visas. Congress’ approval ratings are at an all-time low. The economy and jobs were at the top of the agenda this past week for President Obama and his administration.

President's Jobs Council Presents 2011 Year-End Report

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

The President's Jobs Council has released its 2011 year-end report, Road Map to Renewal. It includes recommendations for revitalizing manufacturing, improving education, spurring innovation and creating jobs -- all important elements of long-term economic growth and competitiveness.

e-News from Washington (January 13, 2012)

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

President Obama announces new initiative to encourage companies to bring jobs back to the United States. Congress has been asked by President Obama to merge several federal agencies that have duplicative jobs. NPR releases a news series about the American manufacturing industry.

e-News from Washington (January 6, 2012)

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

The 2012 Presidential race started in Iowa this week. Congress passed a payroll tax cut extension at the last minute. President Obama makes several recess appointments.

e-News from Washington (December 23, 2011)

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

House Republicans voted down a bill that would extend the current payroll tax cut. The National Labor Relations Board released the final rule for ambush elections. Russia receives an invitation into the World Trade Organization.

e-News from Washington (December 16, 2011)

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

Congress reaches yet another deal to avert a government shutdown. Americans are fed up with Congress. President Obama names top two advisers to the White House’s Office of Manufacturing Policy.

CEOs Call on Congress to Reauthorize Ex-Im Bank

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

AMT First Vice Chairman Tim Dining, President and CEO, Greenerd Press & Machine Company, Inc., joined 62 CEOs from small, medium and large U.S. businesses in calling on the congressional leadership to move forward with reauthorizing the charter of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) before Congress adjourns for the year. CEO letter to Congress on Ex-Im reauthorization.

House Passes REINS Act

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

On December 7, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Geoff Davis’ (R-KY) bill, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act (H.R. 10), better known as the REINS Act. With a vote of 241 to 184, the REINS Act aims to lessen the regulatory burden businesses have had to face due to too much government oversight. A copy of Congressman Davis’ press release can be seen here.

In May, AMT wrote to Congressman expressing the organization’s full support of the REINS Act.

House Passes Workforce Democracy Bill

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST

 

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act (H.R. 3094) by a 235 to 188 vote.  Enactment of H.R. 3094 would rein in the activist agenda of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and reaffirm important protections for workers and employers. H.R. 3094 is part of the House Republican jobs agenda, aimed at removing regulatory hurdles to job creation.

AMT joined over 240 organizations as part of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace in a letter to Congress supporting passage of H.R. 3094. CDW letter

AMT Joins Multi-Industry Coalition on Letter to Deficit "Super Committee"

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

A group of 200 organizations, including AMT, called on the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (popularly known as the “Super Committee”) to go beyond the legislative mandate of the Budget Control Act and take steps to rein in spending, reform the tax code, reduce the deficit, and stabilize and ultimately lower America’s level of debt.

Associations Write Congress Urging Extension of Depreciation Incentives

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined an ad hoc group of 77 organizations in sending a letter to Congress urging extension of current bonus depreciation and section 179 expensing levels through 2012.

Jobs Council Releases Interim Report to the President

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

The President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness has released “Taking Action, Building Confidence,” an interim report to the President. This report includes a series of proposals to accelerate job creation over the next five years as part of the nation’s overall jobs agenda.

AMT Signs Letter to Deficit Super Committee Urging Comprehensive Tax Reform

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

AMT joined over 150 business groups in calling for the deficit reduction “Super Committee” to go beyond its mandate of finding $1.5 trillion in deficit cuts and tackle entitlement and comprehensive tax reform. In the letter sent to the 12 members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, the business groups urged Congress to act quickly to rein in spending, reform the tax code, reduce the deficit, and stabilize and grow the economy.