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Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement on the president’s Executive Order on immigration:

The heartbreaking separation of children and their families should never have been U.S. government policy. It was as unnecessary as it is unconscionable. Manufacturers are relieved that President Trump has signed an Executive Order to end this practice. It should be ended without delay, and families who were wrongly torn apart must be reunited. Now Congress must turn to the difficult, but long overdue, work of reforming our broken immigration system and do so in a way that stays true to our values and lives up to America’s highest ideals.

On Monday, Timmons issued a��statement��calling on America’s elected leaders to end the policy of separating children from their parents after being apprehended for entering the country illegally. For more on the 51�Թ���’s position on immigration reform, click��here.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kimberly Reed to lead the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States:

Kimberly Reed is a sterling choice for the Export-Import Bank, and in nominating her to lead the agency, President Trump is standing with America’s manufacturing workers. For too long now, the Ex-Im Bank has been hobbled, unable to ever consider action on large deals, while manufacturers lose out on business and jobs to our overseas competitors. At least 85 foreign government-backed export credit agencies, including those in China, are working aggressively to support their own domestic industries. America cannot afford to let them win any longer. Manufacturers call on the Senate to act swiftly to confirm Ms. Reed and the remaining Ex-Im Board nominees.

The 51�Թ��� has been a leading proponent of restoring the Ex-Im Bank, which has supported 1.4 million American jobs over the past several years, to full functionality. In January, Timmons����to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX) urging them to swiftly approve the four stalled, qualified nominees to the Bank’s board of directors following their bipartisan approval by the Senate Banking Committee. 51�Թ��� Vice President for International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey also penned an op-ed in����calling on the Senate to take action.

Quick facts about the Ex-Im Bank:

• The Bank has supported��1.4 million jobs��over the past eight years.
• More than��90 percent��of the Bank’s FY 2016 transactions directly support small businesses.
• The Bank has generated��$7 billion��for taxpayers over the past 20 years.
• Foreign competitors are stealing America’s competitive disadvantage by devoting��hundreds of billions of dollars��to official export credit agency financing for domestic manufacturers.
• The Bank’s default rate of just��0.25 percent��is better than many commercial lenders.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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��� (51�Թ���) Vice President of Infrastructure, Innovation and Human Resources Policy Robyn Boerstling issued the following statement on the Department of Labor’s����regarding association health plans (AHPs):

Lowering health care costs has long been a top priority for manufacturers. AHPs offer an important market-based pathway to expanded health care coverage and lower health care costs, and now is the time to make this option more widely available to smaller companies and their employees. We appreciate all of the efforts of the White House, the Labor Department and Congress in moving this forward. Manufacturers have a proud tradition of providing health care to employees—in fact, nearly 100 percent of our member companies do so. We will continue to be a partner along the way so that more manufacturing employees can thrive, be healthy and share in their sector’s success, said Boerstling.

In March, the 51�Թ�������with the Department of Labor on AHPs, which essentially enable associations and groups to band together to provide health insurance to member employers and employees. Given the increased purchasing power and wider insurance pool that comes from banding together, AHPs often offer the potential of better care and lower costs.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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.

Peoria, IL –��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) and Advanced Technology Services in Peoria hosted Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) for a facility tour and employee town hall on Monday to discuss the real-world impact of tax reform and other ways Congress can better serve the interests of Illinois manufacturers.

When Congressman LaHood cast his vote for tax reform last year, he was voting in support of Illinois manufacturing workers. Now, Illinois and the country, are reaping the benefits. We’ve seen new jobs, rising wages, special bonuses and expanded manufacturing operations, and manufacturers report that even more good news is on the way, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Last year, manufacturers said that if leaders in Congress stood with us on tax reform, we would deliver for our people and our communities. Congressman LaHood and his colleagues delivered, and manufacturers are now keeping our promise.

Following the facility tour, Rep. LaHood held a town hall with Advanced Technology Services employees, where he touted the historic tax reform package and reiterated his optimism for the future of manufacturing in Illinois.

After years of stagnation, it is clear that our economy is on the upswing thanks to the tax reform law we passed last December, said Rep. LaHood. My visit to Advanced Technology Services today demonstrated once again how the new law has boosted manufacturers’ confidence and is providing more opportunities for expansion and even skills training for their employees. I want to thank ATS CEO Jeff Owens and all of the employees for their invitation and for the fantastic discussions about how tax reform is helping them, providing valuable insight that will guide me as Congress works to continue updating our tax code.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��, according to the 51�Թ���. Today’s event focused on the increasing optimism among local manufacturers and the ways local business leaders are already taking advantage of the historic reforms.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement calling on America’s elected leaders to end the policy of separating children from their parents after being apprehended for entering the country illegally:

It is a child’s worst nightmare to be taken away from a parent, and nothing strikes fear into the hearts of parents like the idea of their children being taken from them. On this very core issue of humanity, nearly all Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, agree.

The images we’re seeing and the stories that are being reported from the border are horrifying—young children being warehoused in cages, separated from their parents, and often from their own siblings. This is not what America stands for. This two-month-old policy destroys America’s credibility as a beacon of freedom, liberty, opportunity and compassion in the world.

Today in America children are being held hostage by political partisans. Manufacturers demand that Congress and the administration fix this horrifying injustice now. There are no excuses and no one else to blame. It can be accomplished in a few days—or even hours. The administration can change this policy with a stroke of a pen. Congress can pass a clean bill prohibiting the separation of immigrant children from their parents and send it to the President for his signature.

Manufacturers have long advocated real solutions to our immigration challenges, and we reaffirm our call for comprehensive legislation. But not this week. Today, action is urgently needed to address this very specific travesty, because thousands of innocent children will lie awake tonight wondering if they will ever see their parents again. Inaction or delay is inexcusable and immoral.”

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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.

Oxford, MI – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) and Oxford Forge, Inc. hosted Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI-8) for a facility tour and roundtable with local business and community leaders on Monday to discuss the real-world impact of tax reform and other ways Congress can better serve the interests of Michigan manufacturers.

Congressman Bishop stood with Michigan manufacturing workers when he cast his vote for tax reform last year, and now the people of Michigan are seeing the overwhelmingly positive results: new jobs, rising wages, special bonuses and expanded manufacturing operations, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. It is undeniably good news. Last year, manufacturers told Congress that if they stood with us on tax reform, we would deliver for our people and our communities. Congressman Bishop and his colleagues delivered, and manufacturers are now keeping our promise.

Following the plant tour, team members from Oxford Forge, Inc. and parent company American Axle & Manufacturing thanked Rep. Bishop for voting in favor of the historic tax reform package and reiterated their optimism for the future of manufacturing in Michigan.

Reforming our nation’s outdated, cumbersome tax code has energized our economy, resulting in the lowest unemployment rate since 2000 and record job creation, said Rep. Bishop. It is absolutely critical here in Michigan that our manufacturers are supported, and I appreciated the opportunity to tour the American Axle & Manufacturing facility in Oxford and sit down with employees. I look forward to continuing my work in Washington to promote policies, like apprenticeship programs, that provide access to the services and support workers need to meet employer demand.

During the group’s roundtable discussion, the importance of building on the momentum of tax reform by dedicating attention to solving the shortage of much needed laborers through workforce development initiatives was agreed to unanimously by Rep. Bishop and participants.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��598,800 jobs in Michigan alone, according to the 51�Թ���. Today’s event focused on the increasing optimism among local manufacturers and the ways local business leaders are already taking advantage of the historic reforms.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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��� (51�Թ���) and Advanced Technology Services will host Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) for a facility tour and employee town hall focused on the historic tax reform law and its impact on Illinois’ 18th District.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��571,800 jobs��in Illinois alone. This event will highlight why manufacturers are feeling confident about the future of the industry on the heels of historic tax reform and what the signed legislation means for Illinois’ growing manufacturing sector.

Details are as follows and��for planning purposes only:

MEDIA RSVP:��Members of the media interested in attending the town hall should contact 51�Թ��� Director of Regional Public Affairs Elizabeth Van Holt at��[email protected].��For all questions not related to event logistics, please e-mail 51�Թ��� Media Relations at[email protected].Media is welcome to cover the facility tour at 10:20 a.m. and the employee town hall at 10:50 a.m. In addition,��a media Q&A will take place at approximately 10:45 a.m. Please note that video will only be allowed during the media Q&A session.To schedule an interview with Rep. LaHood, please contact JD Dalfanso, the congressman’s communications director at[email protected].

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the new 301 tariff list announced today, reiterating manufacturers’ call for an approach that includes a rules-based bilateral trade agreement with China. In January, Timmons sent a����to President Donald Trump urging him to pursue a trade agreement with China to wholly restructure our economic relationship.

There is no question that China cheats and that its unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft are hurting America’s manufacturing workers. To put an end to these threats and redefine the U.S.– China economic relationship, manufacturers are calling for a new path forward: a fair, binding, enforceable bilateral trade agreement. This approach would end fears of a trade war, get China to play by the rules and secure manufacturing jobs in the United States. Manufacturers certainly have concerns that tariffs will cause more problems than they solve, but we also recognize that the administration may intend to use them as a negotiating tactic to bring China to the table and achieve larger goals. A trade war never benefits anyone, so rather than pursuing a piecemeal tariffs approach, now is the time to seize the opportunity before us and work toward a U.S.– China trade agreement that will benefit American workers for generations to come.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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. –��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) announced in a��letter��to members of the U.S. House of Representatives today that it will key-vote House passage of H.R. 8, the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018.

Reliable and consistent authorizations for Army Corps civil works projects are required to upgrade and modernize harbors and ports as well as aging inland waterway lock systems, many of which have been around since the Depression’s public works expansion era or post-World War II, �ɰ��dzٱ���51�Թ��� Senior Vice President of Policy and Government Relations Aric Newhouse.

H.R. 8 upholds the two-year legislative authorization cycle to ensure certainty for manufacturers who rely on the movement of goods through ports and inland waterways. It authorizes Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects, as well as studies to initiate such projects, added Newhouse.

The 51�Թ��� has been a leading advocate in the business community for increased infrastructure investment in the United States. �����������here to read the 51�Թ���’s “Building to Win” blueprint for Congress and the administration to repair our roads, bridges, rails, airports, ports, waterways, pipes and pipelines and revolutionize the infrastructure that makes the American Dream possible.

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The 51�Թ��� (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 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact 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��.