This week, the House will vote on legislation to help American manufacturers compete and succeed in the global market. Known as the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016, the bipartisan, bicameral bill reforms the way Congress considers legislation for suspending tariffs on products not made in the United States – in essence manufacturing tax breaks.

Momentum continues to build for the legislation because it:

✓ cuts costs for manufacturers importing products not made in the U.S.;
✓ reduces prices for consumers;
✓ strengthens transparency; and
✓ grows the economy.

Businesses of all sizes and organizations across America continue to praise this bill:

“Passage of the MTB will allow Gowan to continue providing both new and established pest control products to U.S. growers at competitive prices while supporting our 600 employees as well as jobs in 40-50 downstream businesses … Passage of the MTB is a necessity for America’s manufacturers and deserves immediate consideration!”
— Gowan Company LLC, a family-owned agriculture technology manufacturer

“We strongly urge Congress to eliminate distortions in the U.S. tariff code that are undermining the competitiveness and job growth of our industries by passing the ‘American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016’ as expeditiously as possible.”
— National Association of Manufacturers, America’s largest manufacturing association, representing small and large businesses in all 50 states

“Your legislation would wisely allow Congress to achieve the positive economic effects of an MTB without violating the ban on earmarks … we applaud you on creating a revised MTB process that increases transparency, avoids the pitfalls of earmarking, and sets the table for economic growth. Our organizations are pleased to endorse your bill and hope it will be swiftly enacted into law.”
— A coalition of conservative organizations such as the National Taxpayers Union, Taxpayers for Common Sense, and Council for Citizens Against Government Waste

“Over the past three decades, the MTB has helped manufacturers cut production costs and maintain their competitive edge by providing temporary relief from select tariffs … The Chamber applauds the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade for taking up this important issue. Given its importance for preserving American jobs, the Chamber hopes this initiative to establish a new MTB process will advance swiftly.”
— Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business association, representing more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions

“We have long supported bipartisan and bicameral efforts to pass MTBs to correct on a temporary basis distortions in the U.S. tariff code that place an unnecessary and anti-competitive tax on manufacturers, retailers and other businesses across the country that rely on imported products not available domestically.”
— A coalition of more than 200 large and small American businesses and business organizations

“Because the raw materials needed are not produced in the United States, we have relied on the MTB process to reduce our overall costs and improve our global competitiveness. Thanks to past MTBs, we’ve been able to add jobs in South Carolina and grow our chemical business.”
— Milken & Company, innovative manufacturer of textile, agriculture, electrical products

“Past MTBs have helped us significantly reduce our costs and remain competitive in an intense global marketplace. By reducing costs on raw materials that are not available domestically, we were able to maintain and grow jobs at our facilities all over the United States. The duty suspensions bring us substantial savings, which we reinvest in our manufacturing facilities right here in the United States.”
— FMC Corporation, agriculture technology manufacturer

“Approval of legislation to grant MTB is one of [our] top trade priorities. A new MTB process would help reduce or eliminate hundreds of import duties on raw materials that chemical manufacturers rely on for innovation but which are not produced in the U.S. … We urge Congressional leaders to support and take action on the bill as quickly as possible to help manufacturers of all sizes grow and create jobs here in the U.S. while bringing the many benefits of chemistry to new world markets.”
— American Chemistry Council, the oldest association representing businesses with an interest in chemistry

“The bottom line is that MTBs are a vital tool for American competitiveness. I applaud your work to reform this process to make clear that MTBs are a tax cut, not an earmark, and urge your colleagues in the House and Senate to support these reforms.”
— Americans for Tax Reform, a nonprofit advocacy group representing taxpayer interests

It’s time for Congress to provide American manufacturers with the competitive edge they need to succeed. The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 will do just that by promoting an open and transparent MTB process that will help our economy grow.

For more information about the legislation, click here.