The following article by Scott Robertson came from the American Metals Market, www.amm.com. 

PITTSBURGH -- The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) has come out in support of the Reciprocal Market Access Act of 2009, but steel interests say that while the concept of reciprocity appears reasonable, making trade concessions while failing to gain foreign access is of no value to the United States.

Sheffield, Mass.-based CPA is a national non-profit organization representing the interests of 2.7 million citizens through its farmer, rancher, manufacturing and organized labor association and company members. Its stated goal is to achieve trade policy for the benefit of American citizens, farms, factories and working people.

The following article by Leslie Jorgensen appeared last week in The Colorado Statesman here. 

On the face of it, “Buy American” seems to be a logical, patriotic and economically sound message. However, the few bills backing that concept that have emerged recently from the Colorado Legislature have had a hard time making it out of committee and on to the House and Senate floor.

An exception is a 2008 bill sponsored by former state Rep. Dorothy Butcher, D-Pueblo, requiring that the Colorado government buy American flags made in the United States to fly above its agencies.

October 26, 2009 - CPA letter to Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley of the Ways and Means Committee 

CPA sent a letter to Chairman Baucus and Ranking Member Grassley regarding a Customs-related act that they are co-sponsoring.  There is an advisory board associated with the customs agency that is dominated by the importers and multinationals, just as the Industry Trade Advisory Committees are dominated by them. 

The letter asks the Senators to include more diversity, to include domestic producers, on the customs advisory committee.  

********