February 2023 Volume 5

WASHINGTON UPDATE

What a great and busy start to 2023! From the USTR Section 301 tariffs four-year review to ForgingPAC fundraising to Lobby Day, we have been anything but idle. Thank you to all our members who submitted a comment(s), contributed to the PAC, and attended Lobby Day. All of the activities mentioned above have been crucial to expanding our advocacy efforts and protecting the domestic forging industry. A key focus area the last couple of months here at FIA has been ensuring the Section 301 tariffs remain in place for a somewhat level playing field. Now we all know that with the 25% tariffs on Chinese forgings, there is still a disproportionate price difference compared to domestic parts. However, it keeps the economic pressure on China and illustrates that the United States will not be held hostage to their outlandish tactics. Thank you to our twenty-six member companies that submitted forty comments supporting the tariffs in addition to FIA’s comment on behalf of the industry. The comments demonstrated a unified front, which will hopefully show the United States Trade Representative there is a significant need to keep the tariffs on Chinese forgings intact. The ForgingPAC has been on an upward and successful path for the last six months as we have raised just under $11,000. FIA relaunched its Forging Political Action Committee halfway through 2022 and has consistently collected money through the months of its existence. We began by hosting the ForgingPAC’s first-ever fundraiser at our Fall Meeting of Members in Washington D.C. with a dinner cruise and continued raising money with a Wine Pull at our Midwest Meeting of Members in January of this year. Between the two events, the PAC successfully increased its funds by $3,000. Thank you to all the members who have contributed up to this point. Furthermore, we already have additional fundraising activities planned at this year’s Annual Meeting of Members and Fall Meeting of Members as our goal is to build out the ForgingPAC further and gather an additional $20,000. The intention of the PAC is to increase awareness and promote elected officials whose policy goals resonate with our industry’s priorities. The PAC is critical to the success of our advocacy agenda and to furthering the education of Congress as it can offer the domestic forging industry a seat at the table. The personal contributions help develop relationships and get candidates elected that support our key priorities, such as fair trade and workforce development. Our advocacy efforts, through the help of the PAC, shed light on the policy priorities with lawmakers across the country. Individual contributions do not make as great of an impact as a united one from the ForgingPAC; the power lies within the numbers. Lobby Day 2023 was a great success due to our members who attended! FIA had 16 members representing companies from coast to coast join us in Washington D.C. on February 1st and 2nd. FIAWashington Update By Megha Patel

In partnership with our lobby firm, The Franklin Partnership, members and staff participated in over 25 meetings on Capitol Hill. Attendees shared current challenges and policy priorities of the domestic forging industry, like increasing the tariff rate from 25% to 50% on Chinese forgings and additional funding for training programs. In addition to our normal lobby day, we had a few members stay another day to help us engage in meetings with the offices of Appropriators. FIA, aided by SMI lobby firm, is embarking on an opportunity for $25 million in government funding. The Forging Improvement Program has two components. The first is a $10 million congressional programmatic increase for university technical projects and members. The second is a $15 million Department of Defense core funding for member focused community colleges and trade schools. There are no guarantees on whether we will receive funds, but FIA has been guided by officials that this is a year great year to go after government monies. Overall, the Congressional offices were receptive to the issues and requests, and open to further dialogue. FIA is busier than ever in the government affairs realm and will continue to be so as we elevate our advocacy agenda in Congress. We are very excited to continue promoting the USTR Section 301 tariffs, the ForgingPAC and our priorities in Washington D.C. We appreciate the ongoing support and encouragement of our advocacy efforts! Megha M. Patel

Government Affairs Manager Forging Industry Association Phone: 216-781-6260 Email: megha@forging.org

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FIA MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2023