The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STEEL REVITALIZATION ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S5663-S5664 on May 25, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STEEL REVITALIZATION ACT
Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise to speak in support of the Steel Revitalization Act of 2001. This is the companion measure to H.R. 808 which, as of this moment, has 189 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. The measure represents a comprehensive approach to a serious crisis which is facing our domestic iron ore and steel industry.
Several of the provisions contained in this act are ones that my colleagues in the bipartisan Steel Caucus have introduced in the Senate. I particularly thank Senators Rockefeller and Specter for their work in cochairing this caucus, and Senator Byrd for his unflinching support of the entire steel industry and his creative efforts on behalf of the industry's working families. A special thank you to Senator Rockefeller, who has been absolutely the leader on this issue.
The Steel Revitalization Act includes the following components:
First, there is import relief. We go back to a 5-year period of quantitative restrictions on the import of iron ore. We go back prior to the import surge in 1997. We go to a 3-year average. That is where we hold the line. Between February and March, 2001, there was a 40-
percent surge in the import of steel or semifinished steel, way under the cost of production, constituting unfair trade and putting people out of work.
Second, there is creation of a steelworker retiree health care fund which is administered by the steelworker retiree health care board at the Department of Labor. This fund would be underwritten through a 1.5-
percent surcharge on the sale of all steel products in the United States, both imported and domestic.
One of the awful things about what is going on is many of the retirees worked their whole life, thought they had health care coverage, and are terrified they will not have the health care coverage. A 70-year-old struggling with cancer now is worried there will be no health care coverage.
Third, we have the enhancement of the current Steel Loan Guarantee Program which provides the steel companies greater access to funds needed to invest in capital improvements to take advantage of the latest technological advancements.
Finally, we have the creation of a $500 million grant program at the Department of Commerce to help defray the costs of environmental mitigation and the restructuring as a result of consolidation--again, assuming these companies make a commitment to invest in our country; again, assuming these companies make a commitment to the workers.
I think all Senators can appreciate this legislation. The Iron Range of Minnesota, and if you think of our sister State of Michigan, this is a part of the United States of America with a proud history of providing key raw materials to the producers of steel for well over a century. In these taconite mines are some of the hardest working people you ever want to meet. LTV has closed down in Hoyt Lakes; 1,400 miners lost their work. They are steelworkers, but they work in the mines. These were good, middle-class jobs. It is not just these workers who have lost their jobs; it has the ripple effect on all the small businesses, all the subcontractors, all the suppliers--all the families.
I am in schools all the time. There is such pain, such concern about the future of these families and concern for the future of their children. From my point of view, and I know I speak for Senator Dayton, there is probably not a more important piece of legislation to introduce.
The introduction of a piece of legislation is not symbolic politics. It does not mean it passes. We have a lot of work cut out for us, but I will say to my colleague from Virginia, I thank publicly on the floor of the Senate--I certainly have called her--Secretary of Labor Chao. We are, again, in a situation right now where there is a lot of economic pain, a lot of economic desperation. The Secretary of Labor has provided the workers up there with at least some relief, which was extremely important. We were so hopeful we could get trade adjustment assistance benefits. The Secretary of Labor granted us an additional year, above and beyond unemployment benefits that workers receive through the State of Minnesota.
It is additional money for job relocation. For workers and their families to get that trade adjustment assistance is a lifeline. It gives them more time. It gives them an opportunity to think about what ladder there is for career development. It gives them some financial assistance for their families. I have told Secretary Chao--I don't know if I will get her in trouble with the administration by being so glowing about what I have to say about her--I so appreciate it and so do the people in the State of Minnesota. I want to publicly thank her.
I also want to say we are now waiting, of course, for the administration on a decision--Secretary Evans will make a decision soon--as to whether or not we will be taking some trade action to really make sure we have a future for this industry. The next big decision is going to be in mid-June about whether or not the taconite workers on the Iron Range in Minnesota are going to have a future. This industry will not survive if it is continually faced with unfair trade practices, if it continues to face this import surge of slab or finished steel. Our taconite workers on the Iron Range of Minnesota ask nothing more than to have a level playing field. We wait for a decision mid-June.
I think steelworkers and industrial workers all across the country--
and I think they will have a lot of allies--will in a strong voice say you have to take some action. For the Iron Range in Minnesota, northeast Minnesota, time is not neutral. Time moves on. It is extremely important, above and beyond this lifeline assistance, that we get serious about a fair trade policy so these workers and their families have a future.
There is companion legislation in the House. Very important work has been done by Senator Rockefeller and Senator Specter. I think we can get some strong bipartisan support, but it is not going to be enough to just introduce a bill. We will need action from the administration and we will need legislative action if there is to be a future for this extremely important industry--which, by the way, I think is essential to our national security.
This legislation is legislation near and dear to my heart because it is so connected to the lives and people I truly love, that is to say the steelworkers and their families on the Iron Range of the State of Minnesota.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will please call the roll.
The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the order for the quorum call be dispensed with.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mr. DORGAN. I ask consent to speak in morning business for 15 minutes.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from North Dakota is recognized.
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