2015 Letters and Comments
12.10.15 - AAFA Key Votes YES Congressional Vote on Customs Bill
AAFA issued a key vote letter urging Congress to vote YES on the conference report on customs reauthorization legislation (H.R. 644).
Download Document
11.19.15 - AAFA Urges World Bank to Suspend Loans to Uzbekistan
AAFA joined with a broad stakeholder coalition urging the World Bank to suspend loans to Uzbekistan because the Uzbek government's widespread use of forced labor in this fall's cotton harvest violated the tenets of those loans.
Download Document
11.17.15- AAFA Letter to Vermont LCAR on the Chemicals of High Concern in Children's Product Act"
AAFA sent a letter to the Vermont Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) in response to the Vermont Department's of Health proposed rule on chemicals of high concern in children's products.
Download Document
11.17.15 - AAFA Urges Congress Keep Moratorium in Place on New Trucker HOS Rules
AAFA joined others in urging Congress to keep a moratorium in place on new regulations reducing allowed hours of service (HOS) for truckers.
Download Document
11.17.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Include Port Performance Act in Final Highway Bill
AAFA joined the entire business community in urging House and Senate conferees to include the Port Performance Act in the conference version of the long-term highway bill. The provision would collect basic, uniform port performance data from all ports, data that can help prevent future port congestion.
Download Document
11.6.15 - Remarks by Juanita Duggan at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Global IP Summit
Nov 06, 2015
Remarks by AAFA President and CEO Juanita Duggan. Delivered on November 6, 2015 at the Global IP Summit, U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Download Document
11.03.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Approve Port Metrics Amendment to Highway Bill
AAFA urges Congress to approve an amendment to the pending highway bill that would require ports to report key metrics on their operations. The collection of basic uniform data on port performance is critical to address ongoing congestion issues that impact AAFA members and the national economy
Download Document
10.28.15 - AAFA Submits Comments on Foreign Trade Barriers to USTR
AAFA submitted comments on foreign trade barriers to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in preparation for the annual National Trade Estimates (NTE) report.
Download Document
10.27.15 - Address by Juanita Duggan to the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
Oct 27, 2015
Address by Juanita Duggan, President & CEO of the American Apparel & Footwear Association, at the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. Posted as prepared for delivery.
Download Document
10.21.15 - AAFA Urges Freight Infrastructure Funding in Long-Term Highway Bill
AAFA urges the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to provide funding for freight infrastructure improvements in the pending long-term highway funding bill.
Download Document
10.21.15 - AAFA Urges Cumulation Between U.S./Colombia/Peru
AAFA joined with three other groups to urge the U.S. government and Congress to activate of a provision in the U.S./Peru and U.S./Colombia Free Trade agreements that would enable the sharing of inputs between all three countries and still allow the resulting apparel product to enter any of the three countries duty-free.
Download Document
10.19.15 - T-TIP - Joint AAFA/EBCA/USFIA Paper on Regulatory Harmonization
AAFA, the European Branded Clothing Alliance (EBCA), and the U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) issued a join paper on regulatory harmonization in T-TIP. The paper outlines options for harmonization of rules or regulatory cooperation in the context of the T-TIP negotiations from the point of view of the branded clothing industry. The paper focuses on labeling and product safety requirements. AAFA shared the paper to U.S. and European negotiators
Download Document
10.16.15 - AAFA Comments on Intellectual Property Enforcement Strategy
AAFA submitted comments to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) in response to requests for input on the development of a three year strategic plan to ensure improved intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement and coordination.
Download Document
10.14.15 - AAFA Urges Support for GSP Travel Goods Petitions
AAFA led a coalition of more than 20 other trade associations in supporting approval of petitions to add travel goods to the GSP program.
Download Document
10.12.15 - AAFA Submits Rebuttal Comments to Alibaba Claims on Notorious Markets
AAFA submitted rebuttal comments to a statement submitted by Alibaba regarding its claims on an earlier notorious market submission.
Download Document
10.05.15 - AAFA Submission to USTR on Notorious Counterfeit Markets
AAFA submission for USTR's 2015 Speical 301 Out-of-Cycle Review highlighting notorious physical and online markets selling counterfeit apparel, footwear, and travel goods.
Download Document
10.02.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Delay Deadline That Could Halt Rail Traffic
AAFA urges Congress to delay the January 1, 2016 deadline for railroads to install Positive Train Control (PTC). Most railroads will not meet the deadline mandated by the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 to implement PTCs—a communications-based system designed to prevent certain types of train accidents. If Congress does not extend the deadline, a significant portion of the nation's rail system could shut down on January 1, 2016.
Download Document
10.01.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Pass Customs Legislation
AAFA urges Congress to quickly approve long-pending customs reauthorization legislation.
Download Document
09.10.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Enact Tax Extender Legislation
AAFA joined more than 2000 other organizations and companies in urging Congress to enact legislation to extend key expiring tax provisions.
Download Document
09.10.15- AAFA Raises Serious Concerns with Vermont's Chemicals in Children's Product Regulations
Sep 10, 2015
On September 10, AAFA as a member of the Associated Industries of Vermont Coalition, sent a letter to the Vermont General Assembly's Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules (LCAR) in response to the final proposed rule to implement the testing and reporting requirements for chemicals in children's products
Download Document
09.03.15- AAFA Signs Joint Letter to Halt Implementation of Rockland County Chemical Management Law
Sep 03, 2015
AAFA and industries representing manufacturers of children's products sent a letter to the County Executive of Rockland County, NY to halt implementation of the county's chemical management law.
Download Document
07.27.15 - AAFA Expresses Disappointment in Decision to Upgrade Uzbekistan in Human Trafficking Report
AAFA expressed strong disappointment with the U.S. government's decision to upgrade Uzbekistan in its annual Trafficking in Persons (J-TIP) Report.
Download Document
07.24.15 - AAFA Lists Important Provisions for Final Customs Bill
AAFA urged Congressional leaders to include a number of important provisions for the footwear and apparel industry in any final Customs bill, including a provision to re-start the long-stalled Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process, fixes on the new outerwear classifications, and key fixes to the Manufacturer's ID and 9802 Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) provisions.
Download Document
07.24.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Adopt House Trade Remedy Provisions in Customs Bill
AAFA urged Congressional leaders to adopt the trade remedy provisions included in the House version of the Customs bill as Congress works towards moving a House-Senate compromise version of the Customs legislation.
Download Document
07.23.15 - AAFA Expresses Concern Over Proposed Overtime Rules
On July 23, AAFA signed a business community letter organized by the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity expressing concern over the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed regulation amending the exceptions for overtime pay. The letter was sent to the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections in advance of a hearing on the proposed regulations.
Download Document
07.21.15 - AAFA Calls on U.S. Government To Negotiate Workable Apparel Provisions in TPP
As negotiations towards a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Free Trade Agreement reach the end stage, AAFA called on the U.S. government to negotiate workable apparel provisions that can make the TPP work for the U.S. apparel industry and its 3 million U.S. workers.
Download Document
07.21.15 - - AAFA Urges ILO to Push Cotton Forced Labor Issue in Key Meeting with Uzbek Government
AAFA joined a coalition in urging the International Labor Organization (ILO) to push the continuing forced labor issue in Uzbekistan's cotton fields in the ILO's upcoming meeting with Uzbek government officials.
Download Document
07.15.15 - AAFA Supports Inclusion of Port Tracking Legislation in Transportation Bill
On July 15, AAFA, alongside 115 trade associations, sent a letter supporting the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation including the Port Performance Act (S. 1298) as part of the Comprehensive Transportation and Consumer Protection Act of 2015 (S. 1732), the Committee's multi-year transportation bill.
Download Document
07.14.15 - AAFA Calls on House Passage of Patent Reform Measure
Multi-association and company letter in support of House action on the Innovation Act (H.R. 9).
Download Document
07.13.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Include MTB Language in Pending Customs Bill
AAFA joined the larger business community in urging Congress to include language in pending Customs legislation that would establish a process to allow Congress to restart the long-stalled Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process. Before the last MTB exipired January 1, 2013, U.S. imports of dozens of footwear, textile, and apparel items received duty-free or reduced-duty access to the U.S. market.
Download Document
07.06.15- Multi-association Letter in Opposition to Proposed Sales Ban on Children's Apparel in Rockland County, NY
AAFA signed an industry coalition letter in opposition to the proposed bill in Rockland County, New York, that would ban certain chemicals in children's products and children's apparel.
Download Document
06.25.15 - AAFA Key vote Letter Urging House Passage of Trade Preferences Legislation
AAFA sent a Key Vote letter to every Representative urging final House passage of The Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 1295).
Download Document
06.24.15 - Multi-Association/Multi-Company Letter in Support of Trade Preferences Legislation
AAFA joined more than 660 other companies and association in urging Congressional passage of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 1295).
Download Document
06.24.15 - AAFA Key Vote to the Senate in Support of Trade Preferences Legislation
AAFA sent a key vote letter to the Senate urging passage of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 1295).
Download Document
06.24.15- AAFA's Recommendations on CPSC's Priorities for FY 2016-2017
AAFA submitted recommendations on the priorities the CPSC should consider emphasizing and dedicating resources toward in the fiscal year 2016 Operating Plan and the fiscal year 2017 Congressional Budget Request.
Download Document
06.23.15 - Multi-Association Letter in Support of Renewal of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)
AAFA joined more than 120 other trade associations in sending a letter to Congress urging support for renewal of trade adjustment assistance (TAA), which is packaged together with legislation to renew expired and expiring trade programs in the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 1295).
Download Document
06.23.15 - AAFA Key Vote Letter to the Senate in Support of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
AAFA sent a Key Vote letter to the Senate, urging passage of the stand-alone TPA legislation.
Download Document
06.23.15- AAFA Key Vote Letter Urging House Passage of H.R. 2576- the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015
AAFA sent a Key Vote letter to every Representative urging House passage of H.R. 2576- the TSCA Modernization Act of 2015.
Download Document
06.22.15 - AAFA Supports Port Performance Legislation
AAFA joined 100 industry associations in sending a June 22 letter of support for the Port Transparency Act (S. 1298). The legislation would require periodic reporting on port performance.
Download Document
06.22.15 - AAFA Joins Business Community in Urging Senate to Pass TPA
AAFA joined the business community in urging the Senate to pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation.
Download Document
06.18.15 - AAFA Sends TPA Key Vote Letter to House
AAFA sent a Key Vote letter to the House, urging passage of the stand-alone TPA legislation.
Download Document
06.17.15 - Multi-Association Letter in Support of PROTECT Act Provisions in Customs Bill
AAFA joined with other trade associations in supporting the PROTECT Act provisions - which articulate practical provisions to stop evasion of trade remedies - in pending Customs legislation.
Download Document
06.15.15 - AAFA Supports Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015
AAFA, alongside a coalition of industry associations and individual businesses, sent a letter on June 15 to Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) supporting this week's introduction of the Remote Transactions Parity Act (RTPA). The bill would allow states the authority to collect sales tax from internet sellers.
Download Document
06.15.15 - AAFA Signs Multi-Association Comment Letter Regarding OEHHA's Proposed Prop 65 Website Regulation
AAFA joined the larger business community in opposition to OEHHA's proposed modifications to its Prop 65 lead agency website regulation.
Download Document
06.11.15 - AAFA key vote letter urges house to vote yes on TPA & TAA
AAFA sent a key vote letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to vote YES on the Trade Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314). The letter urges representatives to vote YES on both Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA)..
Download Document
06.11.15 - AAFA Key Vote Letter Urges House to Vote YES on Trade Preferences Bill
AAFA sent a key vote letter to every member of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to vote YES on the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 1295).
Download Document
06.10.15 - AAFA Urges FMC to Take Action Against Unfair Terminal/Carrier Charges
AAFA, alongside 94 industry associations, sent a letter June 10 to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) urging the FMC to take action on unfair and unwarranted demurrage, detention, and per diem charges paid by shippers when port delays prevent timely pickup and drop off of containers and equipment.
Download Document
06.10.15 - Letter to Senate on NDAA Amendments
AAFA signed onto a letter urging the Senate to support two amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735) that would help strengthen the Berry Amendment.
Download Document
06.05.14 - AAFA Urges UN Secretary General to Address Uzbek Cotton Issue During Visit
AAFA urged the United Nations Secretary General to address the issue of forced and forced child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton fields during his visit the week of June 9 to Uzbekistan.
Download Document
06.03.15 - AAFA Supports Renewal of Export-Import Bank
AAFA joined 1,052 other companies and organizations in urging Congress to renew the Export-Import Bank.
Download Document
06.03.15 - AAFA Supports Port Labor Reform
AAFA, alongside a coalition of 113 organizations, sent a letter in support for the PORTS Act, legislation which would expand and improve the powers available under Taft-Hartley to end labor disputes.
Download Document
06.03.15 - Statement on Patent Trolls
United for Patent Reform, with support from AAFA, issued a statement supporting the Protecting American Talent and Entrepreneurship Act (S. 1137), also known as the PATENT Act, which will help fight against patent trolls.
Download Document
06.03.15 – AAFA Leads Multi Association Letter in Support of Swift Action on Trade Preferences Legislation
AAFA joined with 30 other organizations in urging House passage of a Senate-passed trade preferences bill – the Trade Enforcement Extension Act of 2015 (HR 1295) – to expedite enactment of a package of expired and expiring trade programs, including the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), the Haiti trade program, and the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).
Download Document
06.02.15 - Joint association letter to Senate Majority Leader for support of S.697 TSCA Reform
AAFA signed a joint association letter to urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to bring S.697, the ―Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act,‖ to the Senate floor for a vote prior to the August recess.
Download Document
06.02.15 - AAFA Urges House Approval of THUD Bill Continuing Moratorium on Hours of Service Regulations
AAFA on June 2, sent a letter alongside 128 organizations urging House approval of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill. The bill includes an AAFA-supported provision that would continue a moratorium preventing burdensome Hours of Service (HOS) regulations on truckers from going into effect until they are proven to have a safety benefit.
Download Document
06.02.15- Joint association letter to House E&C for support of HR 2576 TSCA Reform
AAFA joined the larger business community to urge support for H.R.2576 (“TSCA Modernization Act of 2015”)
Download Document
05.21.15 - AAFA Urges Senate to Pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
AAFA joined hundreds of business organizations in urging the Senate to vote YES on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).
Download Document
05.20.15 - AAFA Joins Biz Community in Supporting Alternative Currency Amendment on TPA
AAFA joined dozens of other industries in supporting a proposed amendment to the Senate bill on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The proposed amendment provides for alternative provisions to address currency issues in future free trade agreements.
Download Document
05.19.15 - AAFA Joins Biz Community in Opposing ISDS Amendment to TPA Legislation
AAFA joined the business community in opposing a proposed amendment to the Senate bill granting the president Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The proposed amendment would eliminate protections for investment (the so-called ISDS provisions) in future free trade agreements.
Download Document
05.18.15 - Joint Association Statement Urging Quick Passage of AGOA
AAFA and like-minded associations issued a statement stressing the need to renew the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), applauding U.S. Senate passage of legislation that includes AGOA renewal, and urging the U.S. House of Representatives to immediately approve the Senate-passed legislation.
Download Document
05.14.15 - AAFA Urges Senate to Vote YES on Trade Preferences Bill
AAFA urged Senators to vote YES on the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015.
Download Document
05.14.15 - AAFA Safe to Play Coalition Press Release on Albany County Local Law No. J. Stay
The “Safe to Play Coalition” announced today that a joint motion has been filed with the County Attorney in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York for a Court Order granting a stay regarding Albany County Local Law No. J. The stay is a result of litigation against the County because the measure violates federal preemptive safety laws. Due to this action, the law will not be enforced while the County seeks to address the serious legal concerns raised by the lawsuit
Download Document
05.14.15 - Letter to House of Representatives on NDAA Amendments
AAFA signed onto a letter urging the House of Representatives to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1735) that would help strengthen the Berry Amendment.
Download Document
06.03.15 - Letter to House of Representatives on NDAA Amendments
AAFA signed onto a letter urging the House of Representatives to support an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016 (H.R. 1735) that would help strengthen the Berry Amendment.
Download Document
05.12.15 - AAFA Supports Sensible Hours of Service Rules for Truckers
AAFA on May 12 joined more than 70 organizations in a letter supporting the continued suspension of regulations limiting the amount of Hours of Service available to truckers.
Download Document
05.12.15 - AAFA Key Vote to Senate on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
AAFA sent a letter to the Senate Key Voting Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) renewal bill as a Yes vote.
Download Document
05.12.15 - Multi Association Letter on Customs Reauthorization Measures
AAFA joined nine other trade associations in expressing concern over provisions in Customs legislation pending before the Senate.
Download Document
05.11.15 - Multi Association Letter on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
AAFA joined more than 70 other manufacturing associations in urging swift passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
Download Document
04.29.15 - AAFA Joins Multi-Association Letter Raising Concern over SAP Increase in NDAA
AAFA joined a coalition of industry associations to send a letter to the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee to raise concerns about the impact that increasing the Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) would have on the Berry Amendment.
Download Document
04.27.15 - AAFA Joins Multi-Industry Letter to FMC Urging Action on Unfair Demurrage
AAFA joined more than 80 industry associations in sending a letter to the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) on April 27, urging FMC action against unfair demurrage, detention, and per-diem charges being levied on cargo owners and their motor carriers by marine terminals as a result of port delays.
Download Document
04.23.15 - AAFA Sends Letter to Senate Commerce Committee on FMC Nomination
AAFA sent a letter to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee urging the confirmation of Mario Cordero as a Commissioner of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
Download Document
04.22.15 - AAFA Letter to Cambodian Government
AAFA sent a letter to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen regarding the ongoing court cases against 6 labor union leaders.
Download Document
04.21.15 - AAFA Urges Secretary Kerry to Keep Uzbekistan at Lowest Level in J-TIP Report
AAFA joined dozens of other organizations in urging Secretary of State John Kerry to keep Uzbekistan at the lowest level (Tier 3) in the U.S. government's upcoming Trafficking in Persons (J-TIP) report in response to Uzbekistan's continued use of government-sanctioned and government-orchestrated forced labor and forced child labor in Uzbekistan's cotton fields.
Download Document
04.21.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Pass TPA
AAFA joined with hundreds of other organizations in urging Congress to quickly approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation.
Download Document
04.21.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Maintain Strong Investment Provisions in TPA
AAFA joined with dozens of other organizations in urging Congress to maintain strong investment provisions outlined in the negotiating provisions contained in pending legislation that would give the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).
Download Document
04.21.15 - Coalition Letter Urging Inclusion of MTB Reform Provisions in Pending Trade Legislation
AAFA joined with a wide swath of the business community in urging Congress to approve provisions to reform and re-launch the long-stalled Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) process as part of pending trade legislation.
Download Document
04.17.15 - Multi- Association Letter in Support of Proposition 65 Exposure Assessment
AAFA signed onto a multi-association letter in support of AB 543 (Quirk), which would promote the use of and reliance on a scientific exposure assessment when making decisions about whether or not to warn under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (“Proposition 65”).
Download Document
04.16.15 - Remarks by Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Deputy United States Trade Representative
Remarks by Ambassador Robert Holleyman, Deputy United States Trade Representative, at AAFA's Strategic Sourcing, Customs, and Logistics Integration Conference
Download Document
04.15.15 - AAFA Submits Comments to Senate Finance Committee Working Groups on Tax Issues
AAFA on April 15 submitted comments to the Senate Finance Committee's working groups on international tax and business income tax, outlining tax policy priorities of AAFA members. The comments had been requested as part of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch's (R-UT) formation of working groups to consider specific areas of tax reform.
Download Document
04.08.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Support Athletic Footwear Initiative
AAFA joined with others in urging Congress to correct the classification of athletic footwear in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS). Today, virtually identical running shoes are classified differently because one protects the wearer against water and other outdoor elements (at a duty-rate of 37.5%), and the other does not (at a duty-rate of 20%. The letter pushes Congress to pass legislation to fix the misclassification.
Download Document
04.08.15 - AAFA Signs Letter to U.S. ITC on Potential Impacts of AD/CVD Case Against Shipping Containers
AAFA signed a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission, alongside a group of multi-industry associations, expressing concern with the potential adverse economic impact of a pending antidumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) duty case regarding 53-Foot Domestic Dry Containers.
Download Document
04.08.15 - AAFA Sends Letter to USTR on Alibaba
AAFA sent a letter to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) asking it to stay focused on TaoBao as it prepares its next "notorious markets" report.
Download Document
04.08.15 - AAFA Sends Letter to SEC on Alibaba
AAFA sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) asking it to increase its scrutiny over Alibaba in light of the commitments that were made before last summer's initial public offering.
Download Document
04.08.15 - AAFA Signs Multi-Association Letter on Proposed Changes to Prop 65 Warning Labels
On April 8, AAFA signed a multi-association comment letter on the proposed changes to Prop 65 warning labels.
Download Document
03.31.15 - AAFA Signs Letter to Senate Finance Committee Urging Preservation of LIFO
AAFA on March 31 signed a letter to the Senate Finance Committee urging for the preservation of the LIFO method of inventory.
Download Document
03.18.15 - AAFA Supports H.R. 1030- Secret Science Reform Act of 2015
AAFA supported H.R. 1030- Secret Science Reform Act of 2015. The proposed legislation would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from proposing, finalizing, or disseminating regulations or assessments based upon science that is not transparent or reproducible.
Download Document
03.17.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Approve Chemical Reform Legislation
AAFA urged the Senate to pass the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (S. 697). The bi-partisan legislation would update and reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) the 40-year old legislation regulating chemicals in commerce.
Download Document
03.13.15 - AAFA Comment Letter on Maine's Proposed Rule to Designate Formaldehyde as a Priority Chemical and Regulation of Formaldehyde in Children's Products
AAFA submitted comments in response to the request for public comments by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Chapter 885: Designation of Formaldehyde as a Priority Chemical and Regulation of Formaldehyde in Children's Products.
Download Document
03.13.15 - AAFA Sends Letter to House of Representatives on Senate Resolution to Nullify Ambush Election Rule
AAFA joined 171 industry groups in sending a letter March 13 to the House of Representatives in advance of a House vote on a Senate-passed resolution that would nullify the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) “Ambush Election” rule.
Download Document
03.09.15 - AAFA Thanks Key Members of Congress for Action on Port Labor Dispute and Delivers Cautionary Message
AAFA sent letters to key Members of Congress who took substantial action to urge West Coast port labor and management reach a tentative contract agreement. AAFA thanked the Members of Congress for their work and cautioned that the agreement must be ratified, that cargo backlogs must be cleared, and that both West and East Coast port labor contracts will expire in a few short years.
Download Document
03.06.15 - AAFA Sends Letter to Cabinet Members, FMCS, and LA/LB Mayors on West Coast Ports Labor Dispute
AAFA sent a letter to the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Transportation, as well as FMCS and the Mayors of LA and Long Beach, expressing thanks for their work on the West Coast port labor dispute and urging continued attention as the labor contract is ratified.
Download Document
03.06.15 - AAFA Sends Letter to President Obama on West Coast Ports Labor Dispute
AAFA sent a letter to President Obama expressing thanks for the President's work on the West Coast port labor dispute, as well as urging continued attention as the labor contract is ratified.
Download Document
02.26.15 - Comments to FDA on WHO Classification of Chemical BDO
AAFA submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to oppose the World Health Organization's (WHO) proposal to list 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) under Schedule I of the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
Download Document
02.25.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Pass Duty Drawback Legislation
AAFA joined ten other associations in urging Congress to pass duty drawback simplification measures as part of pending Customs legislation. The letter notes that duty drawback – which provides for refunds of duties paid on imports goods and inputs that are subsequently exported – supports U.S. jobs and has bipartisan support.
Download Document
02.25.15 - AAFA Supports Senate Resolution to Stop Ambush Election Rule
AAFA signed on to an industry coalition letter supporting Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander's (R-TN) resolution to nullify the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) “Ambush Election” rule.
Download Document
02.25.15 - AAFA Supports Duty Drawback Simplification Effort
AAFA joined ten other associations in urging Congress to pass duty drawback simplification measures as part of pending Customs legislation. The letter notes that duty drawback – which provides for refunds of duties paid on imports goods and inputs that are subsequently exported – supports U.S. jobs and has bipartisan support
Download Document
02.23.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Renew GSP Program ASAP
AAFA joined 627 other organizations in urging Congress to immediately renew the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) program. AAFA supports the GSP program, which provides for duty-free access to the United States for products from developing countries. AAFA is pushing separate legislation, the GSP Update Act, which would expand GSP by making travel goods eligible for duty benefits under the GSP program. GSP currently excludes apparel, footwear, and travel goods.
Read More
02.13.15 - AAFA Letter to Ambassador Froman on Gimped and Israeli Nylon Filament Yarn
AAFA sent a letter to Ambassador Froman supporting the inclusion of provisions on Gimped and Israeli Nylon Filament Yarn in the TPP.
Download Document
02.13.15 - AAFA Letter to Ambassador Froman on Knit to Shape Provisions in the TPP
AAFA sent a letter to Ambassador Froman restating its support for inclusion in the TPP of knit to shape provisions for legwear.
Download Document
02.12.15 - AAFA Joins Letter to Congress Supporting Small Business Tax Relief
AAFA joined a multi-industry coalition in sending a letter to Congress in support of America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2015, which would restore small business expensing and permanently index the level to inflation.
Download Document
02.06.15 - AAFA Submits Comments for the USTR 2015 Special 301 Reviews
AAFA submitted comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for its 2015 annual Special 301 report on the state of intellectual property rights (IPR) enforcement in countries around the world.
Download Document
02.04.15 - AAFA Urges OEHHA to Fight Lawsuit to Eliminate Prop 65 Safe Harbor for Lead
AAFA on February 4, signed on to letter to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) urging a vigorous defense of the Proposition 65 safe harbor for lead.
Download Document
02.03.15 - Multi-Association Letter in Support of the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015
AAFA joined more than 100 other trade associations in a letter to each House member expressing support for the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 (HR 527)
Download Document
01.30.15 - AAFA Urges Inclusion of Uzbekistan in Human Trafficking Report
AAFA 30 joined a broad swath of stakeholders in calling on the U.S. government to keep Uzbekistan at the lowest level, Tier 3, in the U.S. government's upcoming Trafficking in Persons Report in response to the Uzbek government's continued use of forced labor and forced child labor in Uzbekistan's annual fall cotton harvest.
Download Document
01.28.15 - AAFA Joins Letter by Agriculture Industry Urging End to West Coast Port Labor Dispute
AAFA signed on as an “industry ally” to a release by agricultural interests urging the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) to reach a swift resolution in their contentious port labor contract talks.
Download Document
01.27.15 - AAFA statement on the 2015 trade policy agenda to the House Ways and Means Committee
AAFA submitted a statement for the record to the Senate Finance Committee in conjunction with that Committee's hearing on the 2015 Trade Policy Agenda.
Download Document
01.27.15 - AAFA statement on the 2015 trade policy agenda to the Senate Finance Committee
AAFA submitted a statement for the record to the Senate Finance Committee in conjunction with that Committee's hearing on the 2015 Trade Policy Agenda.
Download Document
01.27.15 - AAFA Urges Congress to Pass MTB Renewal
AAFA joined with 90 other business organizations in urging Congress to immediately renew the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB), which expired January 1, 2013.
Download Document
01.20.15 - Multi-association letter on Single Window
Multi-association letter signed by AAFA and 30 other industry groups to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Kerlikowske expressing support for timely implementation of the single window.
Download Document
01.20.15 - AAFA letter to President Obama on trade priorities for 2015
AAFA President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan sent a letter to President Obama urging him to ask Congress for Trade Promotion Authority, seek renewal of expired and expiring trade programs, and discuss the benefits of trade with the American people.
Download Document
01.16.15 - Multi Association Letter on Port Negotiations
AAFA joined more than 170 other organizations in urging an expeditious resolution of on-going port labor negotiations and asking that both labor and management strive to maintain normal operations while the talks are on-going.
Download Document
01.14.15 - AAFA Letter Urging Congress to Pass TPA Legislation
AAFA joined the entire U.S. business community in urging Congressional leaders to approve bi-partisan Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation as soon as possible.
Download Document
01.13.15 - Letter to Congress Urging Support for TSCA Reform
AAFA signed onto a letter urging Congress to support the introduction and passage of legislation to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
Download Document
01.08.15 - AAFA Urges Congressional Support for ACA-Reforming Legislation
AAFA signed on a multi-industry letter to House of Representatives leadership urging support for the Save American Workers Act of 2015 (H.R. 30). The legislation would repeal the Affordable Care Act's 30-hour per week full-time employee definition and replace it with a 40-hour per week full-time employee definition.
Download Document
01.07.15 - Letter to Chairmen Ryan and Hatch on Pending Trade Legislation
AAFA sent a letter to the Chairmen of the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees urging expeditious action on pending trade legislation.
Download Document