IPC’s lobbying efforts extend beyond recent successful Capitol Hill Day

Led by its members, IPC carried high the banner for a fair, open and rules-based international trading system at its recent Capitol Hill Day—the industry’s premier lobbying event.

In more than 50 appointments with lawmakers, senators and their staff, IPC’s Government Relations Committee and more than 40 industry leaders ardently lobbied Congress to enforce the United States’ international trade agreements and more aggressively officiate U.S. trading partners’ obligations under the World Trade Organization and other international trade agreements.  In particular, Capitol Hill Day attendees asked Congress to keep the pressure on U.S. trading partners that manipulate their currency in order to gain a competitive and trade advantage over their U.S. counterparts.

During his keynote address, Rep. Donald Manzullo, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, expounded on this issue, emphasizing that lower business costs, not protectionist trade policies, will revitalize the U.S. manufacturing sector.

Congressman Phil English (R-Pa.) concurred with Manzullo in his address, as he discussed his countervailing duty bill and other congressional efforts that help level the playing field with foreign competition.

IPC’s message for an open, equally-competitive and rules-based international trading system was strong.  According to IPC President Denny McGuirk, however, this Capitol Hill Day message was just a microcosm of the many issues that IPC takes to Washington throughout the year.

“After a three-year absence, IPC’s GR Committee decided to bring back this important program to assist our members in continuing the industry recovery, and we were very pleased to hear such excitement expressed from the participants throughout the event.  IPC’s lobbying efforts, though, extend beyond this one-day event and cover a vast array of policies that greatly impact today’s U.S. electronics manufacturer.

“Presently, we are lobbying to reduce the corporate tax rate on U.S. manufacturing and production income by three percent, and, to maintain competitiveness, we are supporting the extension of the research and development tax credit and the bonus 50 percent depreciation.  IPC staff is also working on several important environmental initiatives, including a reduction of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting burdens, a broader exclusion of all recycled materials, and development of lead-free labeling and materials declaration.”

After recent lobbying efforts at the state and local level, IPC applauded Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recently signing of the California’s Workers’ Compensation Reform Bill, which promises to save up to $7 billion a year for the state’s employers.  In another win for the industry, IPC successfully opposed a bill in Maine that would have banned all brominated flame retardants, including TBBPA—the main flame retardant in printed circuit boards.

For more information about IPC’s GR Committee and its upcoming lobbying efforts, visit www.ipc.org or contact John Kania, IPC’s director of government relations, at JKania@ipc.org or 202-962-0460.