Who says visits and letters to legislators are fruitless? AWPA has learned firsthand how
important and effective it is to arrange visits between lawmakers and their constituents - AWPA
member company representatives.
The pending 201 steel trade case has demonstrated the importance and value of
constituent involvement in several ways. For instance, during the recent AWPA fall meeting held in Washington, DC, a vigorous grassroots lobbying effort was made by attendees who traveled to Capitol Hill to discuss the 201 steel trade case. Over 80 Congressional offices were visited, many with the Member of Congress present.
One lawmaker visited was Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL), a member of the steel
caucus, who had signed a letter of support for the rod producers on this issue. "However, after meeting with the AWPA company representative, we were completely turned around and called the White House and USTR to tell them so," said Terry Campbell, legislative assistant.
AWPA staff also had numerous appointments with senior policy staff members. Administrators from the Treasury Department were very impressed with the number of employee letters generated. Malcolm Lee, senior advisor at the National Economic Council, told APWA leaders that the association and its members have been "very effective in communicating the consumer position in this case."
These are just a couple of concrete examples showing the need to contact legislators to air
your concerns and views on issues; invite them to your plants so that they can get a full understanding of the industry and how important it is to the state and district; host fundraisers, if possible; and generally keep in contact with them as much as possible. Your voice can be heard in the corridors of Washington, as proven by the complete position reversal of Congressman Bachus.
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American Wire Producers Association
801 North Fairfax Street, Suite 211
Alexandria, VA 22314-1757
Tel (703) 299-4434 | Fax (703) 299-9233 | E-mail info@awpa.org | Web: www.awpa.org
