ISRI Members Raise Their Voice on Capitol
Hill
Nearly 100 ISRI members visited more than 185
members of Congress for ISRI's fourth annual Fly-In
on June 17, 2009, in Washington, D.C., to lobby for
the industry's priority legislative issues on
Capitol Hill. Overwhelming turnout led to terrific
success, already seen with the passage of the "Cash
For Clunkers" bill shortly after the Fly-In.
Other results of the 2009 Fly-In:
- ISRI members asked members of Congress to
include funding for the mercury switch removal
program. This vital program has resulted in removing
switches and minimizing mercury going into scrap
intended for steel mills. Every member of Congress
was receptive to this funding proposal, and ISRI
will ramp up efforts to achieve this funding in the
very near term.
- ISRI members also received a warm reception
toward including a recycling provision in the energy
and climate legislation moving its way through
Congress. Democrats and Republicans alike, through
the lobbying efforts of ISRI members, agreed that
recycling has an important and positive role in any
energy and climate legislation, due to its
significant impact on both energy savings and
greenhouse gas emission reductions. Very few
interests are positioned as positively as the scrap
recycling industry on this issue.
- ISRI also made significant progress on metals
theft legislation, meeting with the sponsors of the
legislation personally and describing the industry's
commitment toward combating the problem. ISRI was
able to describe the industry's proactive efforts
and results, explain how the current legislation
would be largely ineffective, and advancing our
proposed changes.
- Two different industry segments advanced
separate efforts at halting a ban on the exports of
electronics and promoting the use of crumb rubber in
road transportation projects. Members of Congress
now better understand the economic and environmental
benefits of these industry sectors and their
products.
- ISRI members convinced many members of Congress
from both parties and chambers to join the Congressional Recycling
Caucus to learn more about recycling.
As a result of these commitments, many members of
Congress welcomed the opportunity to visit ISRI
members' facilities.
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Congressional
Fly-In
