AFS announces 4 advocacy priorities for June 11-12 Fly-In
The American Foundry Society today announced its four top priorities for the June 11-12 Government Affairs Fly-In in Washington, D.C.
Browse Government and Regulatory News
U.S. raises tariffs to 25%, China vows retaliation
President Trump on May 10 made good on his decision to increase tariffs from 10% to 20% on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, following setbacks in ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and China. The new tariffs are expected to be met with retaliatory measures from China.
Host a congressional visit at your foundry this spring
Metalcasters have significant opportunities in the next few weeks to educate congressional lawmakers about the importance of the industry.
These opportunities are Congressional recesses, April 15-27 and May 27-31, when representatives and senators are back in their states and districts, as well as during the June AFS Government Affairs Fly-In in Washington, D.C.
Corporate Member senior VP speaks to House committee
James M. Proctor II, senior vice president and general counsel for AFS Corporate Member McWane Inc. (Birmingham, Alabama), testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on Feb. 26.
It's time to advocate for metalcasting
With hundreds of new lawmakers and congressional staff on Capitol Hill, it’s time to stand together as an industry.
AFS opposes proposed hike in costs to finance equipment and machinery
The American Foundry Society (AFS) opposes a Treasury Department proposal that would make it more expensive for manufacturers, including metalcasters, to finance the purchase of depreciable equipment by limiting interest deductions four years earlier than Congress intended.
Speaking up for the industry, AFS signed a coalition letter, organized by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), urging Treasury officials to reverse the proposed rule.
President signs executive order to encourage increased federal purchases of iron, steel and aluminum used for infrastructure
President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 31, 2019, to encourage federal agencies to require the use of more American-made products in infrastructure projects they help finance. The order directs federal agencies to encourage recipients of loans, loan guarantees, grants and interest subsidies to meet Buy American requirements for iron, steel, aluminum, cement and other products in their projects.
OSHA publishes crystalline silica Frequently Asked Questions for general industry
On Jan. 22, 2019, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concerning the agency’s final rule regulating occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in general industry.
Industry earns wins on water infrastructure, sweepers
A new water infrastructure law and an agreement from OSHA on non-HEPA sweepers highlight recent policy victories for the metalcasting industry.
A comprehensive infrastructure bill backed by AFS won resounding support from Congress. America’s Water Infrastructure Act (S. 3021) provides more than $6 billion in funding for civil works projects nationwide, as well as important improvements for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
The bipartisan measure was signed into law by President Donald Trump in October.
AFS outlines 2019 public policy priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, American Foundry Society CEO Doug Kurkul, AFS President Jean Bye, and Eric Meyers, chairman of the AFS Government Affairs Committee, welcomed the newly convened 116th Congress.
“AFS looks forward to working with lawmakers to address important metalcasting legislative and regulatory issues in the coming year,” Kurkul said. “It’s important that both new and returning members of Congress understand and appreciate the unique value of the metalcasting industry to manufacturing and the U.S. economy.”