Steel

Additional Resources AFL-CIO Department of Commerce Department of Labor United States International Trade Commission United Steel Workers of America

Over the last century, steel has been a critical backbone of our economy - nationally and in West Virginia. Our steel has built the skyscrapers that tower over cities; been used in reconstructing buildings around Ground Zero, warships that patrol the seas, and railroads that move people and commerce; and it has reinforced our roads.

Dating back to his first days in state office, Jay Rockefeller has stood alongside West Virginia steelworkers and their families. He has focused his efforts on fighting to enforce U.S. trade laws, and securing health benefits for retired steelworkers.

Over the years, Rockefeller has worked tirelessly to attract new investors for steel companies. Today, joint ventures like Wheeling-Nisshin Steel continue to produce steel in a state-of-the-art facility in the state's Northern Panhandle.

Along with promoting investments in the domestic steel industry, Rockefeller has fought to strengthen and enforce the United States' trade laws. He has long believed that West Virginia's steel workers can compete with anyone in the world when it's a fair fight, and our workers have proven him right, time and again. As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, he successfully pushed to initiate a Section 201 action into the flood of imports from foreign countries.

Rockefeller also advocated for the Emergency Steel Loan Guaranty Program (ESLG), which provides government guarantees for loans to companies who were harmed by unfair and illegal trade practices. Rockefeller will continue to work on legislation to make sure international trade is both legal and fair.

He has been critical of the Administration's decision to repeal tariffs on foreign steel and championed legislative solutions that will create a balanced playing field for U.S. industries. Toward that end, Rockefeller authored the Strengthening America's Trade Laws Act, which would remove Presidential discretion to ignore the recommendations of the ITC in safeguard cases regarding China, and tighten the rules in anti-dumping and countervailing duty cases.

But for Rockefeller, it's not just about trade laws and investments - it's also about the people who make the steel. He's worked to protect retirees from reduced benefits or pensions. And, when steel jobs were no longer there for some workers in West Virginia, Senator Rockefeller fought to assist displaced workers by creating a 65 percent tax credit for temporary health benefits as well as benefits for job training and relocation assistance.

Promoting & Protecting Trade

Senator Rockefeller has consistently fought for fair trade laws that would level the playing field for West Virginia, and crack down on unfair foreign trade practices. More...

Trade Adjustment Benefits

Senator Rockefeller has aggressively pursued legislation to assist American workers who have been displaced from their jobs or whose company was relocated overseas - also known as Trade Adjustment Assistance or TAA. More...