Washington, D.C. (NNCNOW.com) -- In the wake of troubling news on the Iron Range this week surrounding mine closures and job losses, Minnesota U-S Lawmakers are introducing a measure they hope will protect US steel workers going forward.
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken are behind a bill called the Trade Enforcement Improvement Act.
The bill promises to allow duties to be imposed in advance on foreign steel companies when it's determined there could be critical harm to the domestic industry and these duties would apply retroactively.
It would also require a publication of a list of quote "Duty evaders" to raise awareness.
"What we need to do is make that penalty more severe and make it more quick and sudden so it actually makes a difference so the dumpers stop dumping - and because our workers will be able to compete on any playing field so long as it's an even playing field," said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
This week Cliff's Natural Resources announced 470 layoffs at its Northshore Mine followed by an announcement that Magnetation plans to idle its Plant 2 in Bovey, resulting in the loss of 163 jobs.
About 1600 Iron Range steel workers have been laid off this year.