IFI Lobbyist: No Indication Dingell Wants to Revisit FQA

Jason Sandefur

The Industrial Fasteners Institute”s lobbyist observed that though Rep. John Dingell was the primary sponsor of the original U.S. Fastener Quality Act, “we have no indication that Rep. Dingell is focused on the FQA specifically.”
Washington D.C.-based Laurin Baker represented the IFI during the FQA amendment process in the 1990s.
The sponsor in the Senate Fritz Hollings of South Carolina has retired.
The FQA was based on investigations conducted by the Energy & Commerce Committee when Dingell was chair in the late 1980s.
Baker noted that “while he did not oppose our efforts to revise the Act in 1999, we had to work very hard to overcome his concerns. In addition, he has made it clear in public comments since the election that he believes the Republicans were not aggressive enough in pursuing investigations during their time in control of the Committee.”
Baker recommends educating Congress about fasteners and the industry and being “vigilant in defending the current FQA against possible attacks.”
“The law has worked well since its last major revision in 1999 and we see no reason to revisit it at this time.”
Baker will be “getting to know the new Members, continuing our contacts with current Members and staff and monitoring the new Congress very carefully.”
Baker acknowledged that “the industry lost some friends in the elections,” but hastened to add that “one major difference between the 1990s and today is that the industry has remained engaged in the public policy arena since the 1999 effort on the FQA, maintaining and expanding our contacts wherever possible.”
Today the fastener industry is “well positioned to anticipate and participate in key policy debates affecting the industry.” \ �2006 FastenerNews.com