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Plumbing News
Plumbing
Manufacturers International Legislative Forum Delivers Insights
on Crucial Industry Issues.
Plumbing
Manufacturers International (PMI) delivered important insights
to its members on federal infrastructure legislation and critical
housing and trade issues during yesterday’s PMI Virtual Legislative
Forum.
“Our members gained access to valuable information from experts with
remarkable knowledge and insights into issues affecting our
industry,” said Kerry Stackpole, PMI CEO/executive director. “PMI
members who could not attend will still have access to the forum’s
recording and presentations, as well as to materials they can use to
advocate on behalf of their companies to members of Congress.”
The two-hour forum was divided into four sessions. The first
session, "Eye on Housing," provided an economic analysis and
forecast of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on home and apartment
building from Robert Dietz, chief economist and senior vice
president for economics and housing policy, National Association of
Home Builders. He discussed the current construction and housing
industry outlook and how housing will be a leading element for the
nation’s overall recovery.
Ed Mortimer, vice president of transportation and infrastructure at
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, provided an update during the second
session on various transportation and water infrastructure
legislation designed to retain or create jobs, repair old systems,
and stimulate consumer spending. He covered some of the key elements
necessary to pass this vital legislation, including bipartisan
solutions and the need for organizations, such as PMI, to continue
their advocacy efforts.
During her presentation on the "Future of Trade in the Wake of
COVID-19” during the forum’s third session, trade lawyer Nicole
Bivens Collinson reviewed the dynamics of the United States-China
tariff negotiations, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
effective on July 1, and the impact the pandemic is having on supply
chains. Bivens is president of the international trade, customs and
export law practice at Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A. Story continues below
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Collinson discussed the short windows that PMI member
companies have to ask the United States Trade Representative
(USTR) for extensions to some previously approved China
tariff exclusions. Depending on the plumbing product or
component, the deadlines to request an extension range from
July 7 to July 31, 2020. The extensions would last for one
year and are being offered in an apparent bow to concerns
about the tariffs’ impact on companies struggling with the
coronavirus pandemic. The move would apply to some products
excluded from the 25 percent tariffs that the Trump
administration imposed on Chinese goods.
The final session, "Outreach to Congress: Take Action and
Urge Lawmakers to Support Robust Infrastructure Package,"
provided tools and information to assist PMI members in
their advocacy efforts for the plumbing manufacturing
industry. The tools include a customizable letter that
members can use to urge local lawmakers to pass important
infrastructure legislation.
The forum was hosted by Stackpole, as well as by the
co-chairs of PMI’s Advocacy/Government Affairs Committee,
Troy Benavidez, vice president of public affairs for LIXIL,
and Lowell Lampen, engineering director, K&B NA sanitary
products, Kohler Co., and Stephanie Salmon, PMI’s government
affairs consultant.
About Plumbing Manufacturers International
Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) is the trade
association of plumbing product manufacturers that produce
more than 90 percent of the United States’ plumbing
products, represent more than 150 iconic brands, and develop
safe, reliable and innovative water-efficient plumbing
technologies. PMI members contribute more than 464,000 jobs
and $85.5 billion in economic impact to America's economy.
With a vision of safe, responsible plumbing – always, PMI
advocates for plumbing product performance contributing to
water efficiency and savings, sustainability, public health
and safety, and consumer satisfaction. PMI members
manufacture water-efficient toilets, urinals, faucets,
showerheads and other products at more than 70 locations
across the country and market them online and in more than
24,000 home improvement stores, hardware stores and
showrooms in all 50 states. For more information on PMI,
contact the organization at 1750 Tysons Blvd., Ste. 1500,
McLean, Va., 22102; tel.: 847-481-5500; fax: 847-481-5501.
www.safeplumbing.org.
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