Mrvan Testifies Before ITC in Support of U.S. Workers

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Frank J. Mrvan testified before the International Trade Commission (ITC) during their hearing on the imposition of antidumping and countervailing duty orders on mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.

A video of the remarks is available here and the text of the remarks as prepared for delivery is below.

Good morning Chairman Kearns, Vice Chairman Stayin, and members of the Commission.  

It is good to see all of you, and I thank you for the opportunity to speak before you once again to testify in support of the domestic industry and workers in this case to impose antidumping and countervailing duty orders on mattresses from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.

I believe that one of the reasons that there is a great divide in our nation is because too many workers feel left behind.  In the case before you today, imports of mattresses in the United States increased by 52,000 percent from 2018 to 2019, resulting in the loss of over 350 jobs and the closure of businesses.  These were good-paying jobs that are part of industry with a solid U.S.-based supply chain.  

It is not right, and it is not fair to those workers, and those families, whose lives are upended because companies in countries far away from their homes are cheating and exporting their unemployment to our great nation.  We must do more to protect the livelihoods of every single worker in our nation.  

I appreciate the initiative of all of the petitioners for bringing forward this case so that we can uphold our trade laws and defend our workers.  One of the petitioners in this case, Leggett and Platt, produces steel wire used in mattress components at Merit Steel in Kouts, Indiana, which is in the First Congressional District of Indiana.  I also thank the engagement of the unions in this case, including the United Steelworkers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the AFL-CIO.  

Together, through our dedication and commitment to a thriving economy with fair rules for all, we can ensure that all American workers can compete on a level playing field with the understanding that when others violate our trade laws that the U.S. government will fight for them, for their families, and their communities.

Thank you again for the opportunity to testify and thank you and all the staff for your service to our nation.

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