Congressman John D. Dingell

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (MI-15) today expressed his anger and dismay over President George W. Bush’s comments in January 26, 2006, edition of The Wall Street Journal. In the Journal today, the President said, “We live in a world in which a Ford or GM has got to compete with other manufacturers that are able to deal with costs in a different way than they are, as well as coming up with product that is relevant.”

Said Dingell, “With all due respect to the office and institution of the President, I am afraid that when it comes to analyzing the problems facing American auto manufacturers, and American manufacturers in general, the Administration simply does not get it.

“In my home state of Michigan – the heart of the automotive sector – auto industry dependent jobs make up almost 22 percent of the state’s workforce. I am sure American auto workers feel their jobs, families and communities are ‘relevant’. I am sure that every worker, whether white or blue collar, are insulted that you term the products of their livelihood irrelevant.

“Our automakers face increasing healthcare and pension costs which foreign automakers do not. These problems are compounded by the Administration’s failure to prosecute unfair trade practices by our competitors and the lack of support for my legislation that would fight currency manipulation by Japan and China. Health care costs force up the price of an American car by $1,500, currency fixing adds an additional $3,000 to a mid-size car and $10,000 to an SUV.

“The auto industry doesn’t need a bailout- they need effective policies. My colleagues and I have proposed bills that would address those issues – including a plan put forward in 2003 called Manufacturing Matters - and have written to you numerous times on this, never receiving a response. I hope that now, in the sixth year of your Administration, you will be willing to work with me to implement bipartisan, forward looking solutions.

“I encourage you, Mr. President, to go down the street from the White House to view the Washington Auto Show. There you will see American-made Ford, General Motors and Chrysler automobiles that are not only ‘relevant,’ but exciting.”