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Washington, D.C. – Today, the EPA announced its final decision to retain the clean air standards for ozone. 51�Թ��� Vice President of Energy and Resources Policy Rachel Jones released the following statement:

“Manufacturers’ commitment to clean air is why we support the EPA’s decision to keep the ozone standards established under the Obama administration. This decision comes after careful review and consideration of the most current available scientific evidence and risk and exposure information, as well as consultation with the agency’s independent science advisors.

“This decision, based on sound science, advances important goals while supporting sustainable domestic growth. We have long supported smart policies that protect the environment and improve public health, and the policy announced today is the right approach.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org

As the largest inoculation effort in human history kicked off this month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provided guidance on mandatory employee vaccinations. Here is a brief summary, courtesy of 51�Թ��� Director of Labor and Employment Policy Drew Schneider.

What they’re saying: The EEOC allows employers to require employees to take the vaccine, so long as the company meets requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Equal employment laws still apply during the pandemic, but the EEOC states that they “do not interfere with or prevent employers from following the guidelines and suggestions made by the CDC or state/local public health authorities about steps employers should take regarding COVID-19.”

Disabilities and direct threats: “If an employee is unable to take the vaccine due to a disability, an employer may only exclude the employee from the workplace if that worker presents a ‘direct threat’ to other workers and the employer is unable to provide a reasonable accommodation to the employee that would eliminate or reduce the risk to other employees,” says Schneider.

“If an employer suspects that the employee poses a direct threat, the employer should conduct an individualized assessment of four factors to determine whether direct threat exists: duration of risk, severity of potential harm, likelihood of harm and the imminence of potential harm.”

Religious objections: If an employee objects to the vaccine because of a sincerely held religious practice or belief, an employer must provide reasonable accommodation unless it poses an undue hardship under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Schneider explains. According to the EEOC, courts have defined “undue hardship” as having more than a minimal cost to the employer.

The 51�Թ��� says: 51�Թ��� President and CEO Timmons said in a recent statement about potential vaccine mandates, “While there are likely legal concerns with blanket mandates, if any of our members believed that a requirement at their company was the right thing to do, we would certainly support that within the bounds of the law. Because America’s future depends on folks rolling up our sleeves in a new way.”

Check out the guidance .

Washington, D.C. – Following passage of Senate amendment to H.R. 133 – United States Mexico Economic Partnership Act [Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021], 51�Թ��� Vice President of Government Relations Jordan Stoick released the following statement:

“Manufacturers secured many of our top priorities in this important legislation, including numerous provisions the 51�Թ��� first proposed in our ‘American Renewal Action Plan.’ The additional funds for the Paycheck Protection Program will provide a continued lifeline for small manufacturers. Furthermore, the resources for testing and vaccine distribution, as well as tax incentives for manufacturers that keep employees on payroll and invest in safety measures, will ensure America’s dedicated, essential manufacturing workers can continue their mission safely.

“Across the country, manufacturers are providing the vaccines, PPE and supplies needed to defeat COVID-19, so we have been fully engaged with House and Senate leaders to keep this vital work going. We have a difficult winter ahead, and this legislation will help save lives and livelihoods and keep manufacturers operating. As folks continue to roll up their sleeves and receive initial doses of the vaccine, we are also looking to the other priorities facing us in the new year—including historic investments in infrastructure, energy innovation and more—to ensure manufacturers can lead a full economic recovery and American renewal.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – Following President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan to be administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers take seriously our responsibility to drive economic growth while being good stewards of the environment. Over the past decade, manufacturers in America reduced the carbon footprint of our products by 21%, while contributing 18% more value to the American economy. Across the board, we have outpaced our competitors around the world in reducing emissions, while pushing the EPA to improve and streamline its rulemaking processes. Manufacturers have led the way in innovations that improve energy efficiency and save and recycle water, we have implemented successful initiatives to reduce pollution and waste. We know that through smart policy and regulations based in science, we can continue to achieve our goals.

“So we look forward to working with Michael Regan when he becomes EPA administrator and regularly providing our perspectives on critical issues facing our industry, our workers and our environment. Given his previous service at the EPA under Presidents Clinton and Bush, he knows the agency well, and we congratulate him on his nomination. As we’ve often said, when given regulatory clarity and the tools to be competitive, manufacturers will keep our promises to protect our earth, the only home we have.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – Following President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Rep. Debra Haaland (D-NM) to be secretary of the Department of the Interior, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“We congratulate Rep. Haaland on her history-making nomination to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Interior. Manufacturers are committed to the responsible stewardship of America’s lands, waters and resources, and we look forward to working with Secretary-designate Haaland. America is blessed with abundant and diverse natural resources, and when we responsibly harness their potential, we create opportunities to build stronger communities, a vibrant economy and a brighter future—all while advancing conservation and sustainability.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – Following President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to be Secretary of Energy, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“As a former governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm understands that a strong and thriving manufacturing industry means well-paying jobs for American workers. She also knows that manufacturers in America not only are innovative producers of domestic energy but also depend on a reliable energy supply to grow and create jobs.

“We look forward to working with her in pursuit of manufacturers’ ‘all-of-the-above’ approach to energy development, balancing the needs of American consumers and manufacturers, the opportunities for American workers and the responsibilities of protecting our environment. And we congratulate Gov. Granholm on her nomination.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org

Washington, D.C. – Following President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg to be Secretary of Transportation, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers congratulate former Mayor Pete Buttigieg on his nomination to lead the Transportation Department. He hails from a manufacturing state, so he knows the critical role our industry plays in our economic recovery. And for our country to recover—to ‘build back better’ as President-elect Biden says—we absolutely need to see infrastructure investment of historic proportion.

“From roads and bridges to waterways, electric grids and 5G technology, the future of modern manufacturing depends on the strength of our infrastructure. America should be leading the world in modern infrastructure, not falling behind, so we look forward to working with Secretary-designate Buttigieg to achieve the goals manufacturers have laid out in our ‘Building to Win’ plan.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

The 51�Թ��� is calling for Congress to temporarily extend a COVID-19 tax relief provision that would support manufacturers affected by the pandemic.

The background: Currently, the maximum deduction for interest on business loans is limited to 30% of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). When COVID-19 hit, however, many businesses saw their earnings fall, which also caused their allowable business interest deduction to decrease, even as firms were forced to take out loans to stay afloat. To support these businesses, Congress increased the allowable business interest deduction from 30% to 50% of EBITDA in the bipartisan CARES Act.

The problem: The legislation only covered tax years 2019 and 2020, which means it expires in just a few weeks. At that point, the allowable deduction will fall again to 30% of EBITDA, making it more expensive for struggling companies to stay afloat. The 51�Թ��� is calling on Congress to extend the provision for one more year.

Why it matters: In a capital-intensive industry like manufacturing, businesses use debt to finance important investments in critical technology.

• With the pandemic causing earnings to fall in some sectors, many manufacturers are holding a larger ratio of debt-to-earnings, making their investments more expensive.

• An economic analysis by Ernst & Young found that a one-year extension of the current 50% rate could help create up to 85,000 jobs and add billions of dollars in GDP.

The word from the 51�Թ���: “Congress intended to offer a lifeline to businesses that are struggling in the midst of COVID-19—and although we can see a light at the end of the tunnel, the pandemic still rages on,” said 51�Թ��� Vice President of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy Chris Netram. “Manufacturers are calling on Congress to extend this provision for another year so that it does what it was meant to do: support American workers and keep America in business.”

Washington, D.C. – Following the Food and Drug Administration’s emergency authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“America’s biopharmaceutical manufacturers have a long history of first-in-the-world research that has yielded amazing results, leading to the eradication of the worst epidemics our country has faced. Today’s remarkable announcement will hopefully go down as yet another lifechanging development, and we are looking forward to future successful clinical trials and FDA approvals, hopefully in the near future.

“While science has a strong hand in eliminating vexing diseases, it is the people behind the vaccine who are to be heralded today—the innovative scientists, the lab workers, the doctors, the nurses and the thousands of volunteers who stepped up to the plate to trial this groundbreaking vaccine.

“But the fight is far from over. Americans need to roll up their sleeves, take the shots in the arm and recognize that it’s our innovation and our actions aimed at the greater good that will put a stop to this pandemic. That’s the obligation we have thanks to the gifts of freedom and free enterprise that have been bestowed on us.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – Following President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement nominating Katherine Tai as the United States Trade Representative, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released this statement:

“Manufacturers congratulate Katherine Tai on her historic nomination to serve as United States Trade Representative. With years of experience at the highest levels of U.S. trade policy, Katherine is widely respected. We worked extensively with her to ensure the USMCA’s passage, she is quick to listen to manufacturers’ concerns, and she has frequently briefed our members on ongoing trade issues. She has the expertise to confront China’s unfair trade practices. Her past work as USTR’s chief counsel for China trade enforcement and her experience bringing U.S. disputes against China to the World Trade Organization position her well to lead efforts to improve U.S.–China trade relations.

“Opening new markets and forging comprehensive new trade agreements with America’s trading partners are critical to manufacturing’s future and our nation’s recovery. To create more jobs in the United States, we need more opportunities to sell our products overseas. The 51�Թ��� is committed to working constructively with Katherine, and we look forward to supporting her efforts to advance robust, open and rules-based global trade as we emerge from the pandemic.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.