Cartoon

Crime Scene

Written by SK Ashby

(Cartoonist - Mike Luckovich)

In other news, another 793,000 Americans files new, initial claims for unemployment last week. And Republicans are still saying a COVID relief bill is unnecessary.

Meanwhile, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) says they're creating a new environmental justice position that will scrutinize decisions for their impact on minority communities.

Finally, the manufacturing industry is asking the Biden administration to end Trump's tariffs on foreign metal.

The Coalition of American Metal Manufacturers and Users said the tariffs hurt family-owned businesses and fractured relationships with trading partners. A letter from the group asked Biden to end former President Donald Trump’s tariffs and to ask countries to address the issue of excess steel and aluminum capacity in China.

“By taking action to terminate the Trump tariffs, your administration can prevent U.S. manufacturers from shutting down production lines, laying off workers, and potentially even closing their doors,” Paul Nathanson, the executive director of the group, said in the letter dated Wednesday.

“Thousands of manufacturers cannot procure the necessary raw materials in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities ––and of a satisfactory quality –– leading American companies to rely on imports,” he said.

I think this is going to happen, but not tomorrow and maybe not this month. But eventually it will. I expect passing a COVID relief bill and signing it into law will open the door to more economically controversial decisions like this.