Complete Story
 

05/23/2018

Ask policymakers to testify at the ITC and co-sponsor the print act

From The News Media Alliance

Members of Congress will soon be in their congressional districts and states for the Memorial Day congressional recess (May 25 – June 3). This provides a great opportunity for newspaper executives to meet with policymakers back home and ask that they help reverse harmful duties on Canadian imports of uncoated groundwood paper used in the production of newsprint.

The Alliance has crafted some talking points to help you when reaching out to your Congressmen and -women, which you can find here

What Can Congress Do to Help?

  1. Testify or Submit Comments at the ITC. The ITC can stop these unjustified import tariffs by correctly concluding that the U.S. industry is not harmed by imports from Canada, and indeed is harmed by these import taxes, as newspapers are cutting their consumption of newsprint in response to the new duties. Members of Congress can testify or submit comments at the ITC and express their concerns about the loss of jobs in their states and districts, and the damage to local communities if a newspaper is lost. The ITC hearing is on July 17
  2. Co-Sponsor the PRINT ACT. S. 2835, the Protect Rational Incentives in Newsprint Trade Act, has been introduced in the U.S. Senate that would suspend the import taxes until the Department of Commerce reviews the financial health of the newspaper and printing industries, and the President certifies that a favorable determination in the case is in the economic interest of the US. A similar bill will be introduced in the House of Representatives in early June. 

Members of Congress can co-sponsor this bill to make sure the Commerce Department understands the severity of the threat to newspapers. Please ask that your senators co-sponsor S. 2835 and that your representative sign up to be an original co-sponsor of the House companion bill

Their staff can learn more about how to co-sponsor the legislation from this tip sheet or by contacting Paul Boyle at 571-366-1150 or paul@newsmediaalliance.org.

Printer-Friendly Version