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Says This Is Not A Time For Meetings, It’s A Time For Action

DETROIT, Michigan, October 13, 2008 – National Association of Manufacturers President John Engler today called upon the White House to expedite the $25 billion loan package for the auto industry as approved by Congress as a commitment to a key industry that affects the jobs of millions of American manufacturing workers.

In an address to the Detroit Economic Club, Engler reported the Department of Energy has said it will take months to process the loans approved by Congress.  The Department of Energy cannot delay on this, Engler said. I call on the White House to finish this before the end of President Bush’s term.

Engler said that because of recent turmoil in financial markets, public confidence has been shaken to the core. He cautioned the audience there are no magic cures available, nor any quick and simple fix. Fixing what we’re facing is going to be hard work and a lot of it.

Engler spelled out a variety of actions the government should take to strengthen the fundamentals of the U.S. economy – a smarter tax policy, a national energy strategy including a resurgent nuclear program, and a commitment to economic growth that comes from trade and support for leadership that gets things done.

Engler urged the leaders of his home state to take the lead in building the fundamentals for manufacturing.  We will not have national security or economic security in the 21^st century without a strong manufacturing economy, he said. Michigan should lead the way, right here, right now.