For Release: Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
COSTELLO URGES USE OF U.S. STEEL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN STIMULUS LEGISLATION
Washington - Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) today urged Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) to support domestic content provisions for the use of U.S. steel as part of any economic stimulus legislation. The economic downturn has hurt the domestic steel industry, resulting in production declines and worker layoffs. In the Metro East, Granite City Steel has been idled and Alton Steel has also laid-off workers.
Congress is currently preparing economic stimulus legislation that will be considered in January. Infrastructure investments are expected to be a major part of the package, and Costello has been a vocal supporter.
“By investing in our transportation and other infrastructure needs, we will create thousands of good-paying jobs while improving the efficiency of our economy,” said Costello. “It makes sense that as we do this we use American steel to further boost our manufacturing sector and retain and create jobs in the steel industry and other industries.”
Costello is a member of the Congressional Steel Caucus and has been very active on issues affecting the domestic steel industry, including supporting steel tariffs earlier this decade and testifying before the International Trade Commission.
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