Factory Jobs Grow in November, But Will It Last?

By Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM)

Washington, D.C. - December 11, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- The manufacturing sector grew by 31,000 jobs in November, according to the latest employment data from the Labor Department. With 171,000 total factory jobs created so far this year, the economy is now on pace to add the most manufacturing jobs in a year since 2014, when 208,000 jobs were created. 

The job gains come after a disappointing month for the U.S. trade deficit, which hit $48.7 billion, its highest rate since January. Meanwhile, steel imports are up during the same time period.

Said Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) President Scott Paul:

A healthy boost in manufacturing jobs is something to cheer about.

Now imagine the possibilities if we had better public policies to support manufacturing: Reciprocal trade, investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and strong R&D.

I've made the case that automation and robots won't destroy all that many factory jobs, but bad policies will. I hope the million-plus manufacturing jobs added since 2010 make that case even more persuasive.

‘Made in America Act’ Introduced in the House

Source: Brian Fitzpatrick, (R PA, 8th)

Washington, D.C. - October 15, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has introduced legislation this week that would support American manufacturing and incentivize businesses to increase domestic production.

House Resolution 3850, known as the Made in America Act of 2017, would create a voluntary, standardized labeling program that would allow consumers to easily identify the extent to which products are American-made.

“American manufacturing means American jobs. People in my community understand that when they buy American they’re not only buying quality products, they’re helping American businesses – and American workers – in their neighborhoods and across the country,” said Fitzpatrick. “The Made in America Act would connect American consumers to American manufacturers like never before by creating a definitive, standardized definition of American-made goods. I’m grateful for the support of Congresswoman Sinema in working to advance this bipartisan priority.”

The Made in America Act would encourage and educate consumers on buying “Made In America” products by creating an ‘America Star Program’ similar to the successful Energy Star and USDA Certified Organic programs. The new voluntary program would encourage manufacturers to meet certain domestic manufacturing benchmarks, show the percentage of the product made in the U.S.A., while providing consumers with an easy way to identify American made products. The Federal Trade Commission would be responsible for overseeing the development of the guidelines, labeling and enforcement. The legislation has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

According to ABC News, our nation has become addicted to imports. In 1960, foreign goods made up just 8 percent of Americans’ purchases. Today, nearly 60 percent of products bought is produced overseas.

SENATOR MARKEY JOINS BLUMENTHAL, MURPHY & SCHIFF TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO GIVE GUN VICTIMS THEIR DAY IN COURT AND END GUN INDUSTRY’S LIABILITY SHIELD

Washington, D.C. - October 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) to introduce legislation – the Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act – to ensure that the victims of gun violence are allowed to have their day in court and that the gun industry – manufacturers, sellers and interest groups – is not shielded from liability when it acts with negligence and disregard for public safety. The bill would repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).

In 2005, Congress passed PLCAA, which provides immunity in state and federal court from civil liability for manufacturers, distributors, and dealers of firearms, as well as their trade associations, in most negligence and products liability actions. This immunity from liability under well-established common law principles that apply to everyone else in society is unique to the gun industry. As a result, gun makers and sellers have a lesser obligation to act with reasonable care for the safety of the public. It also means that gun sellers can turn a blind eye to straw purchasers or traffickers who may buy hundreds of weapons and traffick them to others with no background check whatsoever. As most gun companies are responsible businesses, this immunity only protects the worst actors in the industry.

"It's time to repeal the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and take away the gun manufacturers’ immunity from civil liability," said Senator Markey. "We want PLCAA to stand for Protecting Lives, Creating Arms Accountability. No other industry has this 'Get out of jail free' card when its products kill thousands of Americans each year."


“When ten Sandy Hook families courageously took the manufacturer and distributor of the AR-15 used in that horrific tragedy to court, the deceptively named Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act was used as a complete barrier to their pursuit of justice. That’s because under current law – and unlike virtually every other manufacturer of consumer products – the gun industry cannot be sued by consumers who are harmed by their products,” Blumenthal said. “Our simple measure will give victims of gun violence their day in court and unlock the doors to justice —repealing the sweetheart deal that Congress granted to the gun lobby.”

“Making the gun industry immune from lawsuits effectively handed them a license to kill,” said Murphy. “Toy manufacturers are held legally responsible if their neglect or irresponsibility hurts people, so why on earth aren’t gun manufacturers? I challenge my colleagues to put the safety of our constituents ahead of the gun lobby’s interests and support this bill. Repealing gun industry immunity will encourage gun manufacturers to make safer products, and it will save lives.”

“Our nation is plagued by an epidemic of mass shootings and everyday gun violence. While not every murderous act can be prevented by any single measure, we should use a comprehensive approach that includes holding the gun industry accountable when it acts negligently, just as we do with other industries.” Rep. Schiff said. “This bill would pierce the gun industry’s liability shield by putting an end to the special protections the gun industry receives when they shirk their fundamental responsibility to act with reasonable care for the public safety.”

When Congress passed the PLCAA, its supporters argued that it was necessary to protect the gun industry from frivolous lawsuits, but that victims of gun violence would not be shut out of the courts. Senator Larry Craig, the sponsor of the legislation and at the time a member of the NRA’s board, stated during debate on the Senate floor, “This bill will not prevent a single victim from obtaining relief for wrongs done to them by anyone in the gun industry.” In reality, numerous cases around the nation have been dismissed on the basis of PLCAA even when the gun dealers and manufacturers acted in a fashion that would qualify as negligent if it involved any other product. Victims in these cases were denied the right to even discover or introduce evidence of negligence.

This legislation allows civil cases to go forward against irresponsible bad actors. Letting courts hear these cases would provide justice to victims while creating incentives for responsible business practices that would reduce injuries and deaths.

Welfare, Sick Leave, Healthcare, Immigration, Manufacturing, Agro-Terrorism, Social Security, Death, Economy, Digital Privacy, Tax Reform, and more...

Davidson Introduces Legislation to Consolidate Redundant Welfare Programs
Warren Davidson (R-OH, 8th)
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DeSantis Commends Trump Administration For Charges Against Jordanian Terrorist
Ron DeSantis (R-FL, 6th)
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Portman, Stabenow, Brown Introduce Bill to Support U.S. Manufacturers, Promote More American Jobs
Rob Portman- (R - OH)
March 15, 2017
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Senate Homeland Security Committee Passes Roberts’ Legislation to Address Agro-Terrorism Threats to Nation’s Food Supply
Pat Roberts- (R - KS)
March 15, 2017
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Rubio, Cotton, Lee Introduce Legislation to Save Social Security Disability Insurance from Bankruptcy
Marco Rubio - (R - FL)
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Statement from Consumer Healthcare Products Association on HSA/FSA Provision of the American Healthcare Act
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
March 7, 2017
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Hawai‘i State Senate Passes a Death with Dignity Bill
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The recent productivity slowdown could be reversed by giving the economy “room to run”
Economic Policy Institute
March 13, 2017
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Digital Privacy at the U.S Border: A New How-To Guide from EFF
Electronic Frontier Foundation
March 9, 2017
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Getting Tax Reform Done—and Done Right
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
March 13, 2017
In the relationship between government and business, no issue is more fundamental, impactful, or important to get right than taxation. It’s one of government’s oldest responsibilities and one of business’ biggest expenses. Taxes are a critical factor in most major decisions a company makes—including whether to expand, hire new workers, or invest in new technologies. Unfortunately, America has one of the most burdensome tax systems in the world. That is why we must seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul our tax code in a way that promotes dynamic economic growth.
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Family Research Council Applauds Texas Senate Passage of the Texas Privacy Act
Family Research Council
March 14, 2017
Family Research Council praised the State Senate passage of the Texas Privacy Act by a vote of 21 to 10. Last week, Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, testified before the Texas Senate State Affairs Committee in support of the Texas Privacy Act (SB 6), which would protect the privacy and safety of women and children. The bill prevents public schools and government buildings from adopting policies that would open women’s showers, bathrooms, and changing facilities to men and visa-versa.
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Chairman Conaway praises President Trump's nomination of Chris Giancarlo
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President Trump announced today his intent to nominate Chris Giancarlo to serve as chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway issued the following statement.
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Diane Black: “I am confident this bill is going to come out of Budget”
House Committee on the Budget
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House Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black talked to MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson about the American Health Care Act and her confidence that the committee will pass the bill tomorrow to help those suffering under Obamacare.
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Nunes Statement on Surveillance of Political Campaigns
House Intelligence Committee
March 5, 2017
“One of the focus points of the House Intelligence Committee's investigation is the U.S. government's response to actions taken by Russian intelligence agents during the presidential campaign. As such, the Committee will make inquiries into whether the government was conducting surveillance activities on any political party’s campaign officials or surrogates, and we will continue to investigate this issue if the evidence warrants it.”
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