Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Bost (IL-12) was presented with the “Steel Champion” award by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) at his office in Washington, D.C.  The award was presented to Reps. Bost and Rodney Davis (IL-13) by U.S. Steel President Mario Longhi in recognition of their successful effort to strengthen and improve our nation’s trade remedy laws. 

“I am honored to receive this award and I accept it on behalf of the hardworking men and women in Southern Illinois’ steel industry,” said Rep. Bost.  “I’m proud that our legislation stands up for American workers whose jobs are put at risk by global competitors who refuse to play by the rules.  These improvements in our trade laws will go a long way in promoting fairer competition for the U.S. steel industry and its workers.”

“This is a challenging time for the steel industry,” said AISI President and CEO Thomas J. Gibson. “The surge of foreign imports that continue to come into this nation unfairly, and at record levels, puts our economic health at risk.  Congressmen Bost and Davis have been leaders in the fight to pass trade laws that will help us work toward leveling the playing field on trade.  We are grateful for their leadership on this, and so many other issues that impact the American steel industry and the 10,000 steel industry workers in Illinois.”

Bost’s legislation to improve antidumping and countervailing duty laws was rolled into trade legislation passed by the House and signed into law by the President on June 29th.