Pass tariff relief to keep manufacturers

In this tough economy, I know how lucky I am to have a job. A lot of Americans are hurting, and yet Congress hasn't taken a simple step to help American companies compete: passing the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill. MTB provides tariff relief to companies that need to import goods that are necessary to manufacturing, but aren't available in the United States.

American manufacturers, their employees and surrounding communities all benefit from MTB. My company, Syngenta, employs 450 Iowans. The National Association of Manufacturers says that failure to pass MTB will cost companies such as mine $748 billion in additional taxes over the next three years. MTB would allow us to control costs and keep jobs.

Congress should be encouraging U.S. manufacturers to stay put. I urge Iowa Sens. Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin to work to get this bill through Congress.

Mike Bielenberg

Ames