Amplifying Members’ Voices

NAFEM regularly joins forces with other organizations to advance the industry’s perspective with elected and appointed officials. Highlights of recent outreach include: 

• Along with 29 other associations impacted by Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs, NAFEM wrote to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick voicing concern about the short, 14-day public comment process on inclusions, lack of a public hearing and the need for transparent inclusion criteria that considers whether import levels have increased in a manner that threatens national security.  
• NAFEM and more than 200 trade associations representing a variety of supply chain stakeholders wrote to the heads of the departments of Commerce and Transportation, as well as the Federal Maritime Commission, asking them to reconstitute the White House Supply Chain Disruption Task Force initially activated during the pandemic. As a result of the de-escalation with China and 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs over the base 10% level, shipments from Asia are increasing and companies are already experiencing container shortages, limited vessel capacity, port congestion, and significant increases in ocean freight rates like those experienced during the pandemic.  
• NAFEM joined more than 70 associations whose members represent millions of main street employers in strong support of the reconciliation bill. The legislation would extend provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and make permanent three provisions for pass-through businesses: the lower individual tax rates, the Section 199A pass-through deduction, and the high estate tax exemptions.  
• Along with Feeding America^® and many other organizations working toward hunger relief, NAFEM reached out to elected officials urging them to protect programs that feed those in need, particularly children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. 
• NAFEM also signed on to a letter supporting the U.S. Travel Association and its Brand USA program that works to attract international visitors and drives nearly $100 billion in domestic spending. President Trump included $100 million in his budget for Brand USA, but the Senate Commerce Committee proposed reducing the budget to $20 million.