America's Equipment Manufacturers Comment on Passage of Bipartisan Debt Deal

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) President Dennis Slater issued the following statement in response to action by the United States Senate and House of Representatives to re-open the Federal Government and raise the debt ceiling. 

"After weeks of partisan bickering and threatening to take the U.S. economy to the brink, I'm pleased with the Members of Congress who voted to do the right thing and enable the United States to meet its financial obligations," said AEM President Dennis Slater.  "Failure to raise the federal debt limit would have had dire consequences for the economy and for the health of the manufacturing sector – and many lawmakers deserve credit for exhibiting courage and leadership in refusing to drive this nation into an unprecedented default.

"I am glad for the sensible action to avoid catastrophe, but it's only a temporary reprieve. The country could very well face the same crisis again in just a few months. Congress and the President must buckle down and work together to come to an agreement on a long-term fiscal plan that puts the country on a sustainable path to growth and prosperity," Slater continued.  "We can no longer avoid the problems our country faces, and it is imperative that we rein in spending, reform the tax code and reform entitlements in order to improve our economy today and for future generations."  

AEM, representing more than 900 companies in the off-road equipment manufacturing industry, issued a key vote alert yesterday strongly urging all Members of Congress to vote YES on the bill. AEM scores key votes in evaluating the positions Members of Congress take on issues important to U.S. equipment manufacturers."

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) - www.aem.org
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 900 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors worldwide. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.; Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China.

CONTACT:
Sara Sendek, AEM
202-898-9007; [email protected]

SOURCE Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)