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This week, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) unveiled two rule proposals to provide oversight of proxy advisory firms and make targeted reforms to the shareholder proposal process. The 51�Թ��� has led the effort to bring these reforms to the proxy process, which are intended to make the proxy process more responsible to Main Street investors and more reflective of business realities.

Proxy advisory firms make voting recommendations to the asset managers who oversee Americans’ retirement savings. As a result, the firms have enormous influence over the policies of publicly traded companies, impacting the direction of businesses they have no stake in as well as the life savings of millions of Main Street investors. Unfortunately, a lack of oversight means proxy advisory firms often operate with undisclosed conflicts of interest and inadequate transparency, implement one-size-fits-all decision-making and make errors that impose significant costs and damaging policies on manufacturers and workers.

The SEC’s first proposed rule would institute reforms to the process by which proxy firms make recommendations and engage with issuers and investors, including requirements that the firms disclose their conflicts of interest and allow companies to highlight potential errors and misleading methodologies.

“This is a significant victory for manufacturers, workers and middle-class Americans across the country,” said Charles Crain, Director of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy at the 51�Թ���. “Americans deserve a proxy process that protects their hard-earned money and sets up reasonable guardrails for the firms that impact their retirement savings, and that’s exactly what this rule proposes.”

A second SEC rule proposal would modify the submission and resubmission thresholds for placing shareholder proposals on companies’ proxy ballots, streamlining and depoliticizing the process in order to focus company management on the issues that impact investors’ long-term savings. Combined with the proxy firm proposal, these reforms represent the capstone of many years of advocacy and hard work from manufacturers across the country. Going forward, the SEC will hear public comments on both proposals as the agency works to finalize and implement the new rules.

“These rules will help ensure that proxy voting decisions are made in the best interests of Americans saving for a secure retirement and manufacturers planning for long-term growth,” said Crain. “At the 51�Թ���, we intend to keep working with the SEC to ensure that both proposals are finalized and implemented appropriately in the weeks and months ahead.”

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed proxy rulemaking:

Today’s announcement shows the SEC has listened to manufacturers’ concerns—and is taking action to rein in the abuses and risky practices of proxy advisory firms and politically motivated activists. Manufacturers across the country have called for reforms to help enhance our ability to grow and thrive in America. Proxy advisory firms are unregulated actors that put Main Street investors’ retirement savings at risk through their error- and conflict-ridden reports, while activists pressure manufacturers to focus on political issues at the expense of company growth. Reforming the proxy process will empower manufacturers to invest in our people and our communities more confidently—and to power economic growth for all Americans. The 51�Թ��� looks forward to continuing to work with the SEC to finalize and implement this important rule proposal.

Background
The 51�Թ��� has led the effort in favor of SEC action to ensure proxy advisory firms work in the best interest of manufacturers and manufacturing workers. Over the past two years, the 51�Թ��� has written��������to the SEC urging reforms to the proxy process, supported����passed by the House of Representatives to increase SEC oversight of proxy advisory firms and launched a����in conjunction with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, including the website��, to highlight the issues that companies face in their interactions with proxy advisory firms and provide a feedback portal for businesses to share their stories.

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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 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� Vice President of International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey released the following statement after the House Financial Services Committee passed legislation to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank for 10 years:

Manufacturers need long-term certainty that the Ex-Im Bank can keep helping manufacturers secure new sales overseas that support well-paying American jobs. The legislation would help manufacturers in the U.S. compete in the global economy by providing a 10-year reauthorization, increasing the authorization ceiling and ensuring the agency’s board will remain fully functioning. This deserves strong bipartisan support on the House floor. We appreciate the members who support this critical agency and thank them for their vote on this important legislation.

Quick facts about the Ex-Im Bank:

• The agency has supported��2.5 million jobs��over the past 20 years.
• On average, more than��90%��of the Ex-Im Bank’s transactions directly support small businesses.
• The agency has generated��$9.6 billion��for taxpayers since 1992.
• Foreign competitors are stealing America’s competitive advantage by devoting��hundreds of billions of dollars��to official export credit agency financing for their domestic manufacturers.
• The agency’s default rate is better than many commercial lenders and far below the 2% maximum rate set by Congress.

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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 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

As Congress moves toward a bipartisan deal on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), manufacturers are urging lawmakers to pass the agreement. Designed to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and agreed to last year by leaders from all three countries, the USMCA now awaits approval by Congress.

For companies like Memphis-based International Paper, the USMCA presents an opportunity to level the playing field with competitors around the world while providing benefits for Americans at home. According to the American Forest & Paper Association, U.S. pulp and paper exports to Canada and Mexico represented more than $10 billion in 2018, or about 45 percent of the industry’s total exports. Those exports to Canada and Mexico support an estimated 88,000 American jobs. Without the USMCA, that revenue—and those jobs—could be threatened.

“The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is critical for our company and our industry to compete in the international market,” said Mary M. Mann, Director of Government Relations and International Affairs at International Paper. “The agreement would protect open access for our industry’s exports to Canada and Mexico, promote sustainable forestry to combat illegal logging and support tens of thousands of jobs for hardworking Americans.”

For the Gowan Group of Companies, a family-owned business involved in agricultural inputs (including fertilizer, seed and crop protection products) headquartered in Yuma, Ariz., the USMCA would ensure economic certainty and continuity. Gowan’s sales within North America represent well over 50 percent of the company’s total sales, including substantial exports to Canada and Mexico. Tariff-free trade with Canada and Mexico supports jobs in Arizona, California, Texas and elsewhere in the United States.

“It is critical for Gowan and our ultimate customers – farmers – that products can flow throughout North America without delays, fees or other significant costs,” said Cindy Smith, Gowan’s Agricultural Relations Director. “Any delays or increased costs due to failure to pass the USMCA would damage our competitiveness and our ability to grow, add jobs, improve wages and invest in new products.”

“Manufacturers across America recognize the importance of updating our trade rules for a 21st-century economy,” said 51�Թ��� Vice President of International Economic Affairs Policy Linda Dempsey. “The USMCA has bipartisan support, and Congress should ratify the agreement immediately, providing certainty for American businesses to compete—and win—in the global economy.”

Despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy, Canada and Mexico purchase more U.S.-manufactured goods than our next 11 trading partners combined. Exports to Canada and Mexico support 2 million manufacturing jobs and 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. Comprehensive 51�Թ��� data shows the USMCA’s positive impacts in every state.

If ratified, the agreement will expand U.S. exports, improve intellectual property protections and enforcement and level the playing field for U.S. workers. Manufacturers are urging quick passage of the USMCA to ensure their businesses can grow, compete globally and support millions of well-paying jobs.

Vice President Mike Pence and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross joined 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons at SCHOTT North America’s Duryea, Pa., facility yesterday to call for the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement and highlight the agreement’s critical importance to American manufacturers.

Today I’m headed to @schottusa’s Duryea, PA facility with to discuss the importance of USMCA passage. This trade deal is critical to manufacturers in each and every state – we need certainty now.

— Jay Timmons (@JayTimmons51�Թ���)

“A vote for the USMCA��is a vote for America’s manufacturing workers,” Timmons said at the event. “Manufacturers are raising our voices in unison,��calling on Congress to ratify this agreement and provide businesses with a level playing field and certainty to compete, grow and win in the global market.”

Canada and Mexico are critical partners for American manufacturers, purchasing one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output and supporting about 2 million American manufacturing jobs.

"It's great to be back in the Keystone State!" Mike Pence speaks to workers at SCHOTT North America Inc., a technology-based group of glass manufacturers and developers, in Duryea, PA.

— The Hill (@thehill)

“The clock is ticking, so I want you to reach out,” Pence said. “Reach out to all of our elected officials in Washington, D.C. … and just tell them how important it is. Set politics aside and do what’s right for Pennsylvania and do what’s right for America.”

President Donald Trump also wrote a letter to SCHOTT, congratulating the glass manufacturer on its fiftieth anniversary. “Your products made here in the United States embody the industriousness of the American people and are a testament to the world-class quality of goods produced in our country,” Trump said.

Schott leaders provided a tour of their advanced optics production hub and research and development center for Pence, Ross and Timmons.

https://twitter.com/schottusa/status/1186441296250048513?s=20

Learn more about why USMCA matters to every state.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons today joined Vice President Mike Pence and manufacturing leaders from across Pennsylvania at SCHOTT North America in Duryea to celebrate the factory’s 50th anniversary and to urge Congress to ratify the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada approved the USMCA last year to replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement.

In his visit with Vice President Pence to a Pennsylvania manufacturer in support of the USMCA, Timmons stated that tax reform and regulatory certainty championed by the current administration served as “rocket fuel for manufacturers, propelling manufacturing to new heights.” But, he noted, manufacturers are seeing new challenges brought on by global headwinds. Timmons pointed to the group’s most recent —where more than 60 percent of 51�Թ��� member companies saw trade uncertainties as a major challenge—as yet another reminder of why manufacturers need the USMCA passed soon.

Below are excerpts from Timmons’ remarks urging swift passage of the USMCA:

“Twenty-five years ago, the North American Free Trade Agreement helped expand access to Canada and Mexico, but our industry has transformed since then. NAFTA is now in need of an update—a new set of standards for the 21st-century economy—which is exactly why the administration negotiated the USMCA.

“Now it’s time for Congress to pass it.

“For manufacturers like SCHOTT, the USMCA would provide best-in-class intellectual property rules, set new standards for innovation and the modern digital economy, eliminate red tape at the border, improve transparency and ensure we can sell products duty free and much more.

“Why is that so important?

“SCHOTT earns more than three-quarters of its sales from consumers outside of the United States. These sales support good jobs for SCHOTT’s workers and a better economy for everyone. For so many manufacturers, expanding access to international markets is critical.

“And the most important trading markets are Canada and Mexico, which alone purchase more U.S.-manufactured goods than our next 11 trading partners combined—despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy.

“That’s why manufacturers are raising our voices in unison, calling on Congress to ratify this agreement and provide businesses with a level playing field and certainty to compete, grow and win in the global market.

“The Speaker of the House said recently that her party is ‘on a path to yes.’ So let’s get to the destination and pass the USMCA this year.”

Timmons concluded his remarks with a call for manufacturers to let their voices be heard by telling members of Congress that “a vote for the USMCA is a vote for America’s manufacturing workers.”

In addition to Vice President Pence, Timmons was joined by SCHOTT North America President Jim Gareau, SCHOTT Duryea Site Manager Robert Gomeau, hundreds of manufacturing employees and dozens of community leaders from across Pennsylvania.

For Timmons’ full remarks, click .

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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 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ���, joined by more than 350 associations and businesses representing manufacturers of all sizes, today called on Congress to ratify the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement. Leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada approved the agreement last year to modernize the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. In a letter sent to Congress, the coalition writes:

We write to you to urge passage of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement as soon as possible this autumn. . . . North America is the most significant trade market for the United States globally, with Canada and Mexico purchasing one-fifth of the total value of U.S. manufacturing output. Canada and Mexico alone, despite representing less than 4 percent of the global economy, buy more U.S.-manufactured goods than our next 11 trading partners combined. Here at home, U.S. manufacturing exports to Canada and Mexico support millions of American manufacturing jobs as well as 40,000 small and medium-sized businesses and communities across all 50 states.

Mexico’s government has ratified the USMCA. It now awaits approval from Congress. The coalition writes that the USMCA would spur economic growth and provide much-needed certainty for manufacturers across North America through the following provisions:

• Strengthen and Modernize America’s Innovation Engine: The USMCA includes best-in-class intellectual property rules that will help protect the full range of U.S. manufacturing inventions and innovations from theft and set new standards for the 21st-century digital economy that will prohibit distortive measures that undermine American innovation.
• Expand U.S. Manufacturing Access to Canada and Mexico: The USMCA will maintain and improve duty-free market access to Canada and Mexico, eliminating red tape at the border and making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to sell into these critical markets.
• Level the Playing Field: The USMCA will raise standards, improve transparency and prohibit both anti-U.S. discrimination and anti-competitive activity—all while providing the same binding enforcement for all obligations in the agreement.

Click to view the letter and full list of signers.

-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 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

President Trump signed two executive orders this week that will require federal agencies to go through a process of public input when issuing major guidance documents, and will force agencies to make useful guidance documents more openly available for the public. That process of issuing notice and soliciting public input is similar to what agencies are required to follow when issuing regulations.

“This is serious, real regulatory reform and the 51�Թ��� has lobbied for changes like these for years,” the 51�Թ���’ Vice President of Labor, Legal and Regulatory Policy Patrick Hedren��said. “These two new executive orders make the world of agency guidance more transparent, and they give manufacturers a seat at the table when agencies begin to draft new guidance documents.”

Representing a federal agency’s current thinking on a topic, guidance documents can be issued faster than regulations and previously did not require a notice and comment period. While these documents are not meant to be legally binding, they often are the basis for regulatory enforcement decisions, and manufacturers tend to view them as binding from a practical perspective. The White House said guidance documents should be subject to the same level of public scrutiny because they can be just as impactful as regulations.

“Agency guidance is often crucial to help manufactures understand complex regulations and statutes,” Hedren said. “But at the same time this sub-regulatory ‘dark matter’ can create chaos for heavily regulated industries like ours when agencies try to use the guidance process to end-run important rulemaking protections like notice and comment.”

Since the executive orders go into effect immediately, agencies will now implement their responses to the orders.

A version of this news article appeared in The Input, the 51�Թ���’s members-only weekday morning newsletter for manufacturing executives.

Washington, D.C. – The 51�Թ��� has launched a seven-figure advertising campaign urging lawmakers to support the manufacturers that develop lifesaving innovations by opposing drug-pricing control proposals that act as a hidden tax on the industry. The campaign also thanks senators who have stood up for manufacturers. This nationwide digital, print and cable campaign follows an initial effort launched in mid-September that featured advertisement in several nationwide outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Axios, The Washington Post, The Hill and Politico.

We need a better approach to drug pricing that supports the manufacturers developing lifesaving and life-changing cures for people in this country and around the world, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. The proposals being debated in Congress right now would put our health at risk, abandon free market principles and move us closer to a top-down, government-controlled health care system. Our top priorities should be ensuring safety and quality, while upholding the values that make our country exceptional and economy strong: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity.

As the employers of nearly 13 million Americans, manufacturers care deeply about lowering the cost of health care, and as the innovators behind many revolutionary medicines, manufacturers are also committed to delivering lifesaving and life-changing cures to people in this country and around the world. When misguided government proposals threaten our ability to deliver health care and drive innovation, we are compelled to speak out.

More information can be found at .

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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 12.8 million men and women, contributes $2.38 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

In September, the 51�Թ��� called on Congress to take action to address climate change. 51�Թ��� Vice President of Energy and Resources Policy Ross Eisenberg testified before the House Energy & Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Environment & Climate Change and shared what the manufacturing sector is doing to reduce emissions.

Manufacturers are making environmentally conscious improvements because their customers, employees and shareholders have prioritized it — and because it’s the right thing to do, Eisenberg said in his testimony. Over the past decade, manufacturers have reduced the carbon footprint of their products by 21 percent while increasing their value to the economy by 18 percent, according to International Energy Agency data.

The last major congressional debate about how to address climate change was more than a decade ago. To solve this problem, manufacturers must think big, and Eisenberg told the committee that the industry is ready to work with Congress on solutions.

See the highlights from Eisenberg’s testimony below.