Posts for June 16, 2010

CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS NOW AND TELL THEM TO PROTECT YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS

June 16, 2010 – National Association of Manufacturers

The leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives intends to bring up H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act, introduced by Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) this week. The legislation is designed to create an unbalanced federal electoral playing field that favors labor unions at the expense of business. It was introduced in response to the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision earlier this year, which made clear that political advocacy by business is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.

The DISCLOSE ACT threatens First Amendment freedoms and is a direct assault on the United States Constitution. Its very purpose is to hinder groups, including associations such as the NAM, which give voice to their members. In addition, a recent "deal" was brokered by a few select special interest groups that would exempt specially chosen interest organizations and exclude others. This deal is even more troubling because it was negotiated without the transparency the bill purports to champion.

As drafted, H.R. 5175 would curb the First Amendment rights of many corporations that regularly participate in contracts with the federal government or have limited foreign ownership or control. The NAM believes the bill’s disclosure provisions could easily be used to create "political enemies" lists or to promote "boycotts" – all aimed at chilling companies’ legitimate advocacy activities. It is stunning that these same First Amendment restrictions do not apply equally to unions representing government workers or unions with foreign members or directors.

Our nation only benefits when America’s job creators exercise their First Amendment rights. Free and unfettered political speech is the very foundation upon which our nation – and our government – is built. The DISCLOSE Act is merely one-sided legislation designed to protect incumbents, strengthen organized labor and "cause" organizations, and defund business involvement in elections.

Please click here to contact your members of Congress now to tell them to oppose the DISCLOSE Act and protect your First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Rosario Palmieri
Vice President, Infrastructure, Legal & Regulatory Policy
rpalmieri@nam.org
202.637.3177

DEMS SCALE BACK UNEMPLOYMENT BILL

June 16, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Anxiety over record budget deficits is fueling the moves, which include rolling back last year's $25 a week increase in unemployment checks ... continue

EPA SAYS CLIMATE BILL TO COST LESS THAN STAMPS

June 16, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Climate and energy bill being pushed in Senate would cost Americans 22 to 40 cents a day -- less than the cost of a first-class postage stamp, Obama administration said ... continue

MANUFACTURING CONTINUES TO DRIVE ECONOMIC RECOVERY

June 16, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Federal Reserve says industrial production rose 1.2 percent in May as manufacturing remained a key engine of the economic recovery... continue

UNEMPLOYMENT BILL FAILS IN SENATE

June 16, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Catchall measure combining jobless aid for long-term unemployed, state aid and renewal of popular tax breaks failed to muster even a majority in a test vote ... continue

WHOLESALE PRICES DROP IN MAY

June 16, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Labor Department said Wednesday that wholesale prices dropped 0.3 percent in May following a 0.1 percent decline in April ... continue