NAM says it’s time to move on presidential agenda

While we honor past presidents today, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is calling upon the nation’s current chief executive to move on his promise to promote U.S. exports.

“President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to manufacturing, and we stand ready to help him ensure that the ‘year of action’ translates to a year of growth,” says NAM president, and CEO Jay Timmons

Manufacturers welcome the President’s focus on developing a 21st century workforce through training programs and immigration reform. The focus on infrastructure investment and permitting, enhanced trade and natural gas development all carry the potential to boost jobs, competitiveness and open countless opportunities for manufacturers in the United States.

However, to NAM it seems that the President missed an opportunity to show shippers that Washington can put politics aside for pro-growth policies. His call for an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy neglected to include the Keystone XL pipeline, and his comment on tax reform once again used the political target of energy producers while failing to call for comprehensive reform that will drive growth for all industries.

Here’s NAM’s view:

“Manufacturers have proposed policy solutions that will deliver more than 20,000 manufacturing jobs per month and grow our economy by at least 3.5 percent each year. Achieving the economic recovery that Americans have sought for years will take more than a pledge—it will take concrete action. Manufacturers stand at the ready to work with President Obama and Congress to deliver policy solutions that will provide not just recovery, but also growth that will spur a new generation of prosperity in the United States.”