Manufacturers welcome election results

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, the results of the Nov. 5 Congressional elections, conferring majority status upon President Bush's Republican party in both chambers of Congress, "promises an early end to the legislative logjam that has deferred action on important economic measures," said Jerry Jasinowski, president of the NAM.

"This historic election sets the stage for aggressive action on the NAM's pro-growth agenda and bodes well for the economy," Jasinowski said.

Michael Baroody, executive vice president of the NAM, praised President Bush's efforts in campaigning, and paid tribute to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert.

"Over the past two years, under Hastert's leadership, the House has amassed an impressive record of legislation," Baroody said. "Unfortunately, most of the House's efforts have foundered in the Senate where gridlock was the order of the day. Now we are optimistic that both chambers will work together to enact badly needed legislation."

Baroody said he is optimistic about the 108th Congress.

"When the Senate convenes next week, my sense is that the leadership will lay partisanship aside in favor of dealing with overdue spending bills, and defer more weighty matters until the New Year."

Jasinowski said the NAM was looking forward to 2003 as an opportunity for progress on a variety of important business and economic issues.

"In addition to homeland security, terrorism insurance and energy, we hope to make the tax cuts enacted last year permanent, obtain a legislative remedy to the asbestos crisis and move aggressively on transportation and trade issues," Jasinowski said.

"We can look forward to a reasonable prescription drug measure within the context of broader Medicare reform. Suddenly, the clouds are beginning to lift and we see a tremendous opportunity for economic growth in 2003 and beyond."

The National Association of Manufacturers, based in Washington, D.C., represents 14,000 members.