May 2022 Volume 4

WASHINGTON UPDATE

Increased Focus on Advocacy and Government Affairs By Megha Patel

Hello all! I amMegha Patel, the new Government Affairs Specialist here at FIA. My first two months at the organization have been an absolute pleasure! I had the privilege of meeting so many of you at our Annual Meeting of Members and the FIA Safety Conference. Thank you all for being incredibly welcoming and supportive. I am excited to work with you all to advocate for the forging industry in Congress and state legislatures all around the country. You might be wondering why a greater advocacy push is necessary? Unfair trade has had devasting effect on the North American forging industry. Our updated plant closings list shows 241 plant closures since 1979 and 25,000+ lost jobs. Companies are losing millions of dollars and cannot compete with such low-cost parts even with the tariffs. It puts our national security at risk as plants close and the United States relies on foreign countries for forgings. Not to mention the job losses that come with these closures. Advocacy allows FIA to educate lawmakers and administration officials on the crucial role the forging industry plays in the success of the United States. Our annual $35 billion industry is the bedrock of the manufacturing sector, which sustains a thriving economy, thousands of high-paying jobs, and national security. The advancement of our forging industry advocacy agenda relies upon the guidance we receive from you and your companies. Therefore, we need you to join the Public Policy Committee and share your expertise on the critical issues you face daily. FIA members can provide the insight needed since you live it day in and day out. With a united voice from you, our members, we are best prepared to bring awareness of our policy priorities to lawmakers. How do we first initiate conversations and build relationships with the lawmakers? FIA’s relaunched forging industry political action committee (ForgingPAC) will play a significant role. The ForgingPAC helps us build relationships with lawmakers who can give a voice to our industry’s key issues. We utilize the PAC to bolster and endorse elected officials whose visions resonate with our industry’s priorities. But we cannot accomplish any of this without your help! The ForgingPAC needs your generous donations to be effective. The funds will go to great use as running a campaign for public office is very financially burdensome and competitive. The donations aid effective campaign tools, like advertising, staff salaries, distribution ofmaterials, andmore. In order to get candidates elected who support the forging industry, our ForgingPAC needs your support. You may be questioning why contribute to the ForgingPAC when you can donate by yourself? Individual funds do not make as big of a splash as united donations from the ForgingPAC; the power lies within the numbers. All we ask before you make any

contributions is to fill out our Prior Approval Form. After the simple form is completed, you can provide up to $5,000 annually. Our advocacy efforts, through the help of the PAC, will shed a light on the industry’s policy priorities with lawmakers across the country. Thank you for allowing me to aid in the launch of the Government

Affairs Department here at FIA. Please do not hesitate to reach out with advocacy input, questions, or concerns, and be sure to visit the brand-new Public Policy & Advocacy Page on our website www. forging.org. I look forward to meeting you all very soon! Megha Patel Government Affairs &Operations Specialist Forging Industry Association Phone: 216-781-6260 Email: megha@forging.org

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FIA MAGAZINE | MAY 2022