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Washington, D.C. –��51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the unanimous passage of H.R. 4318, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) Act of 2018, by the U.S. Senate:

This is a significant step forward for manufacturers, who, along with other businesses, are losing nearly $1 million every day until this bill becomes law, said Timmons. Right now, manufacturers are hit with costly, senseless taxes any time they buy products or supplies that aren’t available in the United States. It makes no sense because it is a direct and punishing tax on making things in America and for creating jobs in America. This bill ends that unfairness and helps manufacturers in the United States better compete for business with companies in China, Europe and elsewhere. Manufacturers need Congress to get this done—to level the playing field and secure the jobs of American manufacturing workers. We urge the House to act quickly, pass the Senate version of the bill and get it to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

In November, the 51�Թ�������the bipartisan, bicameral introduction of the MTB legislation, and in January, the 51�Թ�����praised��House passage of an earlier version of the bill as a “big deal for manufacturers.” In March, the 51�Թ��� released a����on the benefits of the MTB for manufacturers and led a����of 216 business organizations urging Congress to boost manufacturing by passing the MTB. Click����for testimonials from manufacturers in America on the importance of passing the MTB.

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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 released the following statement after the passage of H.R. 6199, the Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018, and H.R. 6311, the Increasing Access to Lower Premium Plans and Expanding Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018:

These important reforms will help make quality, affordable health care more accessible for manufacturers, manufacturing workers and all Americans, said Boerstling. Further delaying Obamacare’s onerous Health Insurance Tax will prevent unnecessary cost increases for workers and retirees, and manufacturers hope to see Congress take action in the future to fully repeal this provision. The changes contained in these bills to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts will help lower costs and give patients added flexibility to seek and pay for the care that’s right for them. Manufacturers urge the Senate to take up these important reforms, along with the House-passed repeal of the Medical Device Tax, to provide manufacturers and manufacturing workers more certainty and relief.

The 51�Թ��� announced in letters to members of the House of Representatives Wednesday morning that it would key-vote passage of�������Ի���.

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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 after the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2353, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act:

This bipartisan legislation empowers a new generation of American workers to improve their lives with high-tech, high-paying jobs in modern manufacturing, said Timmons. Tax reform and regulatory relief have powered tremendous manufacturing growth, but to fill the jobs manufacturers are creating, we need more workers with the right skills. Our research shows there will be as many as 2 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2025 if we don’t take additional steps to upskill our workforce, which is why the 51�Թ��� has worked so hard to get this bill to the finish line.

Today’s vote sending Perkins CTE reauthorization to President Trump’s desk is a major step toward closing the skills gap and addressing this challenge. But the work does not stop here. Manufacturers are encouraged to have partners in the White House like the president and Ivanka Trump who are laser-focused on worker training and have proposed bold solutions and a national workforce strategy.

The 51�Թ��� has been a key supporter of Perkins CTE reauthorization. The 51�Թ��� earlier this year urged the Senate HELP Committee to advance reauthorization legislation and organized a coalition of nearly 500 business and education groups in support of the program. In addition, 51�Թ��� members highlighted the need to reauthorize Perkins CTE at multiple hearings before Congress.

In the 51�Թ���’s latest quarterly outlook survey, manufacturers cited attracting and retaining a quality workforce as their number-one concern.

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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 released the following statement on House passage of H.R. 184, the bipartisan Protect Medical Innovation Act:

Manufacturers welcome the House’s strong, bipartisan vote to repeal Obamacare’s tax on medical devices, and we call on the Senate to act swiftly, said Boerstling. During the two years this harmful tax was in effect, tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs disappeared, innovation stalled, and the cost of certain health care treatments requiring a medical device increased needlessly.

Manufacturers need certainty to negotiate affordable, best-in-class health plans for our employees, so we are also urging Congress to fully repeal other onerous Obamacare taxes, including the health insurance tax and the so-called ‘Cadillac tax.’ These priorities also have bipartisan support, and we urge Congress to provide manufacturers this additional relief.

On Monday, the 51�Թ��� announced in a��letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives that it would key-vote passage of H.R. 184.

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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.

Jackson, TN –��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) and Stanley Black & Decker on Friday hosted Rep. David Kustoff (TN-8) for a facility tour and business leader roundtable to discuss the need to fill the high-skilled jobs required for modern manufacturing, which is critical to Tennessee’s economic prosperity.

Manufacturers appreciate Rep. Kustoff’s commitment to building the modern manufacturing workforce and expanding opportunities for American workers, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Stanley Black & Decker, like manufacturers across this country, know that manufacturers face an urgent need for trained, talented workers, a need that will only grow in the coming years. Right now, manufacturers have some 441,000 jobs to fill—jobs that are rewarding and high-paying and help families build brighter futures. By 2025, as many as 2 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled, according to a study by Deloitte and the 51�Թ���’s Manufacturing Institute. So, we need all elected leaders engaged, and we’re grateful for Rep. Kustoff’s leadership on this issue as well as other manufacturing issues like tax reform and regulatory relief, which have also empowered manufacturing workers.

During the facility tour, Rep. Kustoff had the opportunity to see first-hand the types of high-skilled jobs required to run Stanley Black & Decker’s machinery and equipment.

Manufacturing plays a huge role in Tennessee’s economy, said Rep. Kustoff. This industry not only employs more than 340,000 Tennesseans, but also invests heavily in the success of those they employ to create and sustain a top-notch, 21st-century workforce. Stanley Black & Decker right here in Jackson is a perfect example of a company that is invested in its people and committed to being at the forefront of innovation.

During a roundtable discussion, company leaders thanked Rep. Kustoff for his commitment to helping build the high-skilled workforce to fill modern manufacturing jobs.

As the pace of technological change continues to accelerate, we know the skills required for manufacturing workers is evolving, said Joe Voelker, chief human resources officer for Stanley Black & Decker. At Stanley Black & Decker, we are committed to providing our own employees and individuals around the world with the training, education and opportunity to thrive. Jackson, Tennessee is a great example of that effort in action. The facility is one of our ‘Lighthouse Factories’ where we are implementing Industry 4.0, from manufacturing execution systems, to 3-D printing, virtual reality, robotics and artificial intelligence. It’s an exciting and rewarding time to work in manufacturing.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��341,500 jobs in Tennessee alone, according to the 51�Թ���.

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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 Senate Banking Committee’s hearing regarding Kimberly Reed’s nomination for president of the Export-Import (Ex-Im) Bank of the United States:

There can be no doubt that Kimberly Reed will make an outstanding leader of the Ex-Im Bank. Like President Trump, she believes in the agency’s mission and recognizes its critical importance to manufacturing’s success in America. With her experience and expertise at the helm of the Ex-Im Bank, our industry and our country will undoubtedly be more competitive in the global economy. Manufacturers need Reed and the other nominees confirmed so we can regain a competitive advantage in the fight for jobs and business.

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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 after the Department of Labor (DOL) rescinded the 2016 Persuader Rule:

Manufacturers have fought for this victory for many years in the courts, in Congress and with two administrations, using the full weight of our policy, government relations and legal teams, said Timmons. The 51�Թ���’s Manufacturers’ Center for Legal Action was able to halt the rule in court in 2016.And in 2017, the Trump administration, as part of its broader regulatory relief agenda, thankfully began the process of unwinding the rule. This overreaching rule threatened to impose serious burdens on manufacturers and upend employee–employer communications. Now manufacturers are relieved that this threat to workplace communications is finally and officially off the books. Commonsense steps like this to rein in onerous regulations are a major reason why manufacturers are reporting record-high business optimism.

In 2016, the 51�Թ��� testified on the harmful impacts of the rule before the��House Small Business Committee and the��Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

The Manufacturers’ Center for Legal Action (MCLA) is the leading voice of manufacturers in the courts and engages in a range of activities, including direct party litigation and operating a robust amicus program, as well as educating manufacturers about emerging legal trends. The MCLA is led by 51�Թ��� Senior Vice President and General Counsel Linda Kelly and 51�Թ��� Vice President of Litigation and Deputy General Counsel Peter Tolsdorf. More information on the MCLA can be found��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 the release of a list of an additional $200 billion in Chinese products to be hit with tariffs:

The last thing America’s manufacturing workers need is an escalating trade war. America has China’s attention, so instead of more tariffs, the U.S. and China should immediately begin working toward a fair, bilateral, enforceable, rules-based trade agreement to end China’s market-distorting activities. We can’t afford to wait any longer.

China cheats, and manufacturers want to see China held accountable. But more tariffs like these will punish America’s manufacturing workers—and could undermine our hard-won gains thanks to tax and regulatory reform, which have increased our global competitiveness over the last 18 months and led to higher investment and more American jobs.

-51�Թ���-

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 a sixth wave of staff hires, continuing its ambitious organizational growth to seize manufacturing’s moment and deliver even more results for manufacturers and manufacturing workers in America.

Over the last year, the 51�Թ��� has added dozens of new staff and committed more resources to its communications and advocacy divisions to bolster the voice of manufacturers in Washington. This latest wave of new hires includes key additions to the policy, communications and membership divisions of the organization.

The collective talent, experience and expertise of the 51�Թ��� team has never been stronger, and America’s manufacturing workers have an accomplished group of advocates and communicators on their side, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Our expanding team achieved significant policy victories over the last year, which has taken manufacturers’ optimism to record highs, according to our Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey. Our latest new hires will help us defend that progress and further advance a robust manufacturing agenda on issues ranging from immigration and infrastructure to trade and workforce development.

New members of the 51�Թ���’s communications, policy and membership divisions include:

• Claire Jurkiewicz, Digital Managing Editor.��Claire comes to the 51�Թ��� with 10 years of digital marketing and content experience. In her role, she will serve as the organization’s lead digital strategist, with responsibility for the 51�Թ���’s web presence, social media platforms and data and analytics program. Prior to joining the 51�Թ���, Claire was a content marketing manager for the National Restaurant Association. Previously, she worked as a senior communications specialist for Moroch Partners, an editor for ClubCorp and a reporter for��The Dallas Morning News and AAA.
• Charles Crain, Director of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy. Prior to joining the 51�Թ���, Charles was Director of Tax and Financial Services Policy at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO).
• Stephanie Hall, Director of Innovation Policy.��Prior to joining the 51�Թ���, Stephanie was Senior Counsel for the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations for Chairman Rob Portman. She previously served as Counsel to Senator John McCain, advising him on cybersecurity, technology, telecommunications, immigration and homeland security issues.
• Callie Harman, Director of Labor and Employment Policy.��Callie comes to the 51�Թ��� after extensive work on labor and employment issues on Capitol Hill. Prior to the 51�Թ���, Callie worked her way through the ranks on the Education and the Workforce Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, most recently as a professional staff member, serving under committee chairs Virginia Foxx and John Kline.
• Jessica McBroom, Director of Trade Facilitation Policy.��Jessica comes to the 51�Թ��� with significant experience in a range of export control, sanctions and related issues. Prior to joining the 51�Թ���, Jessica was Vice President and Compliance Manager at JP Morgan Chase & Co. in New York, where she specialized in AML/OFAC risk assessment. She previously served as a senior advisor in the Office of Sanctions and Counter-Threat Finance, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and has experience as a legal and legislative assistant at Utrecht, Kleinfeld, Fiori, Partners.
• Kirk Fordham, Director of Member and Board Relations. Prior to joining the 51�Թ���, Kirk spent 18 years working on Capitol Hill and led two non-profit organizations, the Everglades Foundation and Gill Action. Kirk will be based in Pittsburgh and his region will include Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, western Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.
• Patrick Smith, Director of Member and Board Relations. Prior to joining the 51�Թ���, Patrick was Managing Director at DCI Group for more than a decade. Patrick will be based in Minneapolis and his region will include Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

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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.

Timmons on China’s Unfair Trade Practices

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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.