"Fighting to continue the work of putting our economy on the road to recovery and putting Illinois families back to work, Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson (D-IL) announced her ‘Export Goods, Not Jobs’ initiative today, presenting a series of plans to bring jobs back to Illinois while fighting against new unfair trade deals that have proven to ship jobs overseas.
“As I have traveled our district talking to voters, I hear every day that we need to export goods, not jobs from Illinois, and work to bring jobs back for Illinois families,” said Debbie Halvorson. “We have seen what Adam Kinzinger wants to do, and it’s pass more unfair trade deals that have already shipped thousands of jobs overseas. I’m focused on helping working class families find good-paying jobs that provide the peace of mind they deserve, and that’s exactly what my ‘Export Goods, Not Jobs’ initiative aims to do.”
Halvorson's 'Export Goods, Not Jobs' Agenda features a series of plans that pledge to end unfair trade practices, establish a national manufacturing strategy, modernize workforce investment programs, and provide new tax incentives and lines of capital for manufacturers to grow and create jobs.
Discussing this new initiative and how we can continue to focus on creating jobs in Illinois, Halvorson will launch a tour throughout her district, talking with constituents about the costs of Kinzinger’s trade policies and the details of her plan. Further information on the ‘Export Goods, Not Jobs’ tour will be released closer to the tour dates.
Details of the 'Export Goods, Not Jobs' agenda can be found below or by clicking here.
‘Export Goods, Not Jobs’ Initiative
America’s economic prosperity depends on the success of our manufacturing sector and over the last few decades millions of American manufacturing jobs have been shipped overseas because of unfair trade agreements and tax loopholes. Now is the time to act to jumpstart our nation’s manufacturing sector with policies that will create new, good-paying manufacturing jobs right here in America. Although we are moving in the right direction, we can not afford to wait to pass a comprehensive manufacturing job creation bill that will include the following:
End Unfair Trade Practices
* For years China has undervalued its currency, which allows Chinese producers to sell its goods in the U.S. market at artificially low prices, undercutting American manufactures. Halvorson is a co-sponsor of legislation to keep countries like China from harming U.S. manufacturers by putting them at a competitive disadvantage with these abusive practices. The House has already passed this legislation and the Senate must act now to send it to the President.
* Halvorson is also calling on Congress to address the issue of the U.S. government losing $84 million annually and thousands of American jobs due to foreign governments unfairly dumping or subsidizing products and then using evasive trade practices to avoid U.S. imposed duties. Halvorson proposes legislation to hold these foreign governments accountable by allowing the Department of Commerce to investigate evasion of trade remedy laws, establish a rapid-response plan to allow the U.S. to respond to allegations of evasion, and improve the safety of imports.
* Halvorson is also fighting to limit U.S. government purchasing of goods made in China until the Chinese government allows procurement of goods made in the United States by supporting legislation to end this practice.
* Standing up to Democratic leaders to oppose the Korea Free Trade Agreement as currently negotiated and calling on Congress to work together to ensure that the Korea Free Trade Agreement is renegotiated to include language that protects Illinois manufacturers from unfair trade practices.Implement a National Strategy for Manufacturing
* In order to compete in a global economy, we must have a strategy to create manufacturing jobs right here in America, including proposals to boost productivity and incentivize growth. Halvorson cosponsored and voted in favor of requiring the President to submit a National Manufacturing Strategy every four years to Congress that includes comprehensive manufacturing proposals to save and create manufacturing jobs in the U.S. Now the Senate must act so that hard-working middle-income Americans are not left behind as we create the next generation of jobs.
Modernize Workforce Investment Programs
* American workers can outperform anyone in the world, if given the opportunity. Unfortunately, too many of our workers are not trained in the skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing global economy. Halvorson worked with the National Association of Manufacturers to introduce and pass the AMERICA Works Act, and now calls on the Senate to pass this bill which will modernize workforce training programs to better prepare participants for high-tech jobs in the manufacturing sector.
Tax Incentives for American Manufacturing and Clean Energy
As a small business owner with her husband, Congresswoman Halvorson understands what small businesses need to invest—the certainty that comes from incentives to invest right here in America:
* Tax Relief for Manufacturers: Halvorson fought to provide incentives for manufacturers to make capital investments. Currently, because of legislation introduced by Halvorson, manufacturers can deduct immediately up to $250,000 spent on new equipment and machinery until the end of 2010. Halvorson also sponsored a related recently enacted provision that allows companies to immediately deduct up to 50% of the cost of new equipment and machinery. However, we must not let something that helps so many manufacturers grow and expand. Halvorson calls on Congressional leadership to extend both of these provisions through 2012 to give manufacturers the certainty they need to continue to invest in new equipment and machinery.
* Tax Incentives for U.S. Expansion: Halvorson is also proposing new federal tax incentives through the Economic Development Agency for manufacturers that choose to expand a current facility or open a new facility in the United States instead of overseas.
* Clean Energy Tax Credits: The next generation of manufacturing is going to focus on clean energy manufacturing. Halvorson supports legislation to extend tax credits for investments in clean energy manufacturing and mechanical insulation, which promises to create tens of thousands of jobs across the country and in the 11th District home to several clean energy and mechanical insulation manufacturers. Increase Access to Capital for Manufacturers through Loan Guarantees
* Small and medium sized manufacturers should have the resources they need to grow and hire new workers. With credit markets still very tight, many manufacturers are having difficulty accessing the capital they need to expand, even manufacturers with strong credit histories. Halvorson calls for the creation of a new loan guarantee program under the Department of Commerce that will guarantee private loans made to small and medium sized manufacturers who implement job creating expansion plans.
Increase Opportunities for Exporting Local Products
* Local manufacturers must have access to the raw materials to produce their goods as well as the customers across the country and across the world in order to compete globally. Halvorson has worked with local and state officials, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure the development of one of the largest intermodal facilities in the country right here in Will County which will provide local manufacturers the ability to produce their goods and export to foreign markets. Halvorson calls on the leaders of both parties to work together to pass the highway authorization bill and invest in our transportation infrastructure so that local manufacturers are able to transport their good made in America to consumers across the country and the globe.
* Halvorson is also a strong advocate for modernization and repair of our nation's waterway system. Every year more than $16 billion worth of goods transit on the Illinois Waterway, but much of the waterway system is aging and badly in need of upgrade. Our nation's waterway infrastructure is essential to the export of American manufacturing goods and agricultural products."
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