BISHOP SUPPORTS BILL TO FIGHT UNFAIR CHINESE SUBSIDIES THAT HURT U.S. MANUFACTURERS

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) joined a bipartisan majority of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in supporting H.R. 4105, legislation that protects American manufacturing jobs and exports by allowing the U.S. Department of Commerce to continue to apply countervailing duties in cases involving non-market economy nations like China and Vietnam.  The measure passed in the House by a 370 to 39 vote.  The Senate passed the measure earlier this week and President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law. 

The U.S. government began the practice of applying these duties in 2007 but a December 2011 decision by a U.S. appeals court in Washington, D.C. ruled that Congress never explicitly authorized the Commerce Department to apply these tariffs.  Since 2007, these countervailing duties have protected an estimated 80,000 American jobs.

“In order to create American jobs and build a sustainable economy, it is essential that Congress continues to pass vital measures such as H.R. 4105 that seek to protect our nation’s businesses and workers from unfair global trade practices,” said Congressman Sanford Bishop.  “It is vitally important that we hold our global trading partners accountable and ensure that they play by fair and transparent rules.”        

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