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WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) joined other members of the Congressional Steel Caucus in questioning U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on sub-standard steel from China entering the United States and its use in federal infrastructure projects. Stupak questioned CBP Assistant Commissioner for International Trade Daniel Baldwin at a hearing held today.
“Americans have been killed by contaminated food, drugs and toys imported from China,” Stupak said. “Now serious safety concerns have been raised regarding Chinese steel. Knowing this, Congress has to take action to prevent this inferior material from being used in our critical infrastructure projects before even more American lives are put at risk.”
Stupak, as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, has found through more than a dozen hearings he has held on unsafe imports that products are entering the United States every minute without proper inspection and without being held to the same safety standards as American-made goods. Stupak’s subcommittee is also investigating unfair and illegal foreign trade practices, like those of the Chinese steel industry.
China’s increased steel production has severe consequences for American steel producers, as well as domestic industries that use steel. Currency manipulation and policies by the Chinese government that encourage the dumping of steel have resulted in sub-standard imported Chinese steel entering the U.S. market. Independent laboratory tests have confirmed that significant quantities of Chinese steel do not meet high-strength requirements.
“We already have significant infrastructure problems in this country,” Stupak said. “In my congressional district alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation has identified 32 structurally deficient bridges. If we are repairing these bridges using inferior steel imports from China, we could end up with bridges in worse condition than when we started.”
Stupak questioned CBP on the agency’s capacity to test imported steel for quality and strength. Baldwin testified that CBP does have the ability to test, but does not have the authority to reject inferior steel and cannot ensure that it will not end up in U.S. infrastructure. CBP is the federal agency charged with enforcing trade laws at the border, but has no authority to enforce product safety standards. Stupak asked Baldwin to report back on CBP’s current authority and what additional authority is needed to make sure sub-standard steel is not used in the United States, as well as what – if any – additional resources would be required for enforcement.
“This junk should be turned around and shipped right back to China,” Stupak said. “If the administration won’t take action to ensure the safety of the materials used to build and repair our infrastructure, I will introduce legislation in Congress forcing customs agents to send the junk steel back.”
A critical first step was taken today. Stupak joined with other members of the Steel Caucus in introducing the American Steel First Act. The bill would require federally-funded construction projects under the jurisdiction of the Departments of Transportation, Defense or Homeland Security to use 100 percent American steel. It would expand successful “Buy America” requirements that currently apply to Federal Transportation Administration projects to other government agencies. The requirements would apply to domestic military and civilian construction projects, such as airports, bridges, railroads, roads, tunnels, harbors, piers and the border fence.
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NOTE: An MP3 radio actuality is available for this release at http://www.house.gov/list/hearing/mi01_stupak/steel.mp3 or by contacting Nick Choate at 202-225-4735 or nick.choate@mail.house.gov. |
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![[News From Congressman Bart Stupak]](stupakpr.gif)
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