SOCMA: President Obama's 'Year of Action' Also Requires Leadership

Cautions President against Overuse of Executive Order, Supports Trade Priorities

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) President and CEO Lawrence D. Sloan issued this statement Tuesday night following President Obama's State of the Union Address:

"Tonight the President outlined his priorities for 2014, which he repeatedly asserted may be done through presidential authority, or Executive Order, and without the consent of Congress. Though much of the recent gridlock in Washington has been due to Congressional partisanship, the President's answer is not the kind of action we agree is a practical solution. Executive Orders, having the full force of law, often create new regulations without input from those on which they are imposed and create unintended consequences. This kind of action is particularly threatening to innovative and small chemical manufacturers. What we need is leadership from President Obama and Congress, working together, to ensure the right kind of progress is achieved."

"SOCMA agrees with the President on the importance of expanding international markets for American goods. SOCMA has been a leading advocate within the chemical industry to eliminate tariffs and reduce regulatory barriers in Asia and Europe that directly improve the competitiveness of U.S. specialty chemical manufacturers both large and small. The U.S.-EU free trade agreement currently being negotiated will eliminate more than $1 billion in tariffs for U.S. chemical manufacturers when approved."

"President Obama and Congress still have opportunities this year to work together without the threat of unilateral executive action. Bipartisan efforts to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act as well as suspension of duties on certain chemical imports are prime examples. Accomplishing these priorities requires leadership before there can be action."

About SOCMA
SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated solely to the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry. Since 1921, we have represented a diverse membership of small, medium and large chemical companies, making us the leading authority on this sector. SOCMA has a global membership of 220 companies, which employ more than 46,000 workers in the U.S. alone. www.socma.com

Contact:
Jennifer Drogus
Senior Manager, Public Relations and Media
(202) 721-4182
[email protected]

SOURCE Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates