Richard Durbin on Corporations Democratic Sr Senator (IL)

Patriot employers: reward companies that supply U.S. jobs

The manufacturing sector of our economy is in crisis. The United States has lost 2.6 million manufacturing jobs since January 2001. This is more than 85 percent of our total private sector job losses during that time even though manufacturing jobs account for less than 14 percent of our private sector economy.

Manufacturing is the engine of economic growth for Illinois and the United States. Workers with basic skills who find employment in the manufacturing sector can earn a middle-class income. Senator Durbin is committed to addressing our nation's manufacturing crisis and protecting U.S. companies and workers from unfair trade practices.

Rated 35% by the US COC, indicating a mixed business voting record.

Whether you own a business, represent one, lead a corporate office, or manage an association, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of AmericaSM provides you with a voice of experience and influence in Washington, D.C., and around the globe.

Our members include businesses of all sizes and sectors—from large Fortune 500 companies to home-based, one-person operations. In fact, 96% of our membership encompasses businesses with fewer than 100 employees.

Mission Statement:

`To advance human progress through an economic, political and social system based on individual freedom, incentive, initiative, opportunity, and responsibility.`

Screen imports & ban lead in children's products.

A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children`s products, to improve the screening of non-compliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes.

• Requires third party certification of, and provides for tracking and record keeping regarding, children`s products.
• [Increase] reporting of substantial product hazards and corrective action plans.
• Requires certain manufacturers or distributors to post an escrow or proof of insurance to cover recalls.
• Allows enforcement by state attorneys general and provides public and private sector whistleblower protections.
• Bans children`s products containing lead and lowers the allowable lead content in paint.
• Requires a study of preventable injuries and deaths of minority children related to consumer products.
• Requires a cost-benefit analysis under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.
• Requires development of a risk assessment methodology regarding imports.
• Requires publication of a list of product defects that constitute a substantial product hazard.
• Conditions importation of a consumer product on the manufacturer`s compliance with inspection and record keeping requirements.
• Requires a database on violations of consumer product safety rules to be used to determine whether a container being imported contains consumer products that are in violation of a consumer product safety standard and whether action should be taken under imported products provisions.

Rated 86% by UFCW, indicating an anti-management/pro-labor record.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) is North America`s Neighborhood Union--1.3 million members with UFCW locals in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. Our members work in supermarkets, drug stores, retail stores, meatpacking and meat processing plants, food processing plants, and manufacturing workers who make everything from fertilizer to shoes. We number over 60,000 strong with 25,000 workers in chemical production and 20,000 who work in garment and textile industries.

The UFCW Senate scorecard is based on these key votes:
1. American Jobs Act (+)
2. Balanced Budget Amendment (-)
3. Rejecting Cut, Cap, and Balance (+)
4. Repeal Health Care Law (-)
5. Sen. Am. 14 Wicker Am. to S 223, excluding unionization at TSA (-)
6. Sen. Am. 740 McCain Am. to HR 2112, defunding TAA (-)
7. Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act (TAA) (+)