Michigan senators want to talk jobs with Trump
Washington — Michigan Democratic Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters are requesting a meeting with President Donald Trump to talk about ways to promote American jobs and manufacturing and reduce outsourcing.
The White House is observing “Made In America” week with activities and demonstrations of American products. The senators reminded Trump that he has promised, but not presented, a plan to end outsourcing — moving production overseas — and create jobs.
“As senators who have long supported domestic manufacturing, we share a common goal in rewarding manufacturers that make products domestically and create good-paying jobs. Thus, we respectfully request a meeting with you to discuss an economic agenda that promotes American manufacturing by preventing outsourcing and implementing strong Buy American laws,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Given our shared interest, we request a meeting to discuss a broad range of legislative proposals that will promote U.S. jobs and lead to economic growth.”
Trump officials have been working with Republican House and Senate leaders on a tax reform package that would cut tax rates for individuals and companies — moves that the GOP and Trump have argued would create jobs.
Both Stabenow of Lansing and Peters of Bloomfield Township have introduced legislation related to boosting American-made goods and U.S. manufacturing jobs.
Stabenow in March introduced a bill to close loopholes in the existing law encouraging the federal government to buy American-made products when available.
The legislation would also make it harder for federal officials to justify waivers under the law and require agencies to report to Congress annually the amount they spent on foreign-made goods.
Peters earlier this year introduced a bill that would require publicly traded companies outsourcing jobs to disclose that fact in their public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Securities and Exchange Commission currently doesn’t require the disclosure of where a company’s employees are based, though a company must report total employees and anticipated changes in employment levels for corporate departments.
mburke@detroitnews.com