Dan Hill, a laid-off worker from United Taconite in Eveleth, recently spoke at a meeting with Klobuchar and the White House Chief of Staff on the Iron Range where he urged the Administration to take action to support America’s steelworkers

 

Klobuchar is a leader in efforts to fight foreign steel dumping that undercuts our domestic industry and to provide support for our U.S. steelworkers and miners affected by recent layoffs

 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today announced that Dan Hill, a laid-off steelworker from United Taconite in Eveleth, will attend President Obama’s State of the Union Address as her guest. Hill recently spoke at a meeting with Klobuchar and White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough on the Iron Range where he urged the Administration to take action to support America’s steelworkers. Klobuchar is a leader in efforts to fight foreign steel dumping that undercuts our domestic industry and provide support for our U.S. steelworkers and miners affected by recent layoffs.

 

“On a level playing field, Minnesota's steelworkers can compete with anybody in the world,” Klobuchar said. “But illegal trade practices have thwarted our domestic industry and left many workers on the Range without a job to support their families. Dan has worked hard to make sure the White House understands the dire situation steelworkers like him are facing and I hope his invitation further strengthens this call to action.”

 

“Thank you to Senator Klobuchar for inviting me to the State of the Union and for always fighting for us on the Iron Range,” said Dan Hill. “We must continue to push for action to stop illegal steel dumping so American steelworkers and miners are competing on a level playing field and good Iron Range jobs are available to our children and grandchildren for generations to come.”

 

Klobuchar was instrumental in getting McDonough to meet with workers on the Range and urged him to bring the concerns of Iron Rangers and all those affected by steel dumping directly to the president. Following consistent pressure from Klobuchar last year, the International Trade Commission voted to impose penalties on Mexican, Turkish, and Korean companies dumping steel in the U.S. In addition, she recently led a letter along with Senator Al Franken and Representative Rick Nolan to successfully urge the U.S. Department of Labor to expedite approval of Trade Adjustment Assistance petitions submitted by workers from the affected mining operations. Last month, Klobuchar and Franken introduced legislation to crack down on illegal steel dumping by strengthening trade enforcement.

 

The president will deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on January 12 at 9:00 p.m EST/8:00 p.m. CST.

 

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