Hearing of the Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee - H.R. 985, Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2015

Hearing

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing on H.R. 985, the
Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act. I look
forward to hearing from our witnesses on this legislation.

Commodity checkoffs have been used for decades to support the sales and
improvements of many products. So far, all of those programs have been overseen
by the USDA or Department of Energy. From "Got Milk?" to "Cotton: The Fabric
of our Lives", we are all familiar with these programs and of the products they
promote.

With the creation of a Softwood Lumber checkoff, other building materials
industries like Hardwood Lumber and Natural Stone have made efforts to create
their own checkoff programs. Seeking parity with other building materials, H.R.
985 would create a concrete masonry checkoff program at the Department of
Commerce.

Over the past few years, I have heard regularly from the concrete masonry
industry, contractors, workers, and my colleagues about the importance of a
checkoff program. Just yesterday, I met with a constituent named Jim O'Connor
who has worked tirelessly to advance this bill.

Advocates stress that a checkoff would support jobs, improve the quality of
concrete products, and reduce adverse environmental impacts of concrete
production. I am very interested in pursuing those goals, and I look forward to
hearing from industry representatives about how this legislation would get us there.

I also want to make sure that the Commerce Department -- which has never
managed a checkoff -- has the resources and know-how to oversee this kind of
program. I want to learn from the Government Accountability Office about the
pitfalls of checkoffs and how those can be avoided. And I want to understand the
perspective of those representing other building materials. I look forward to
hearing the testimony of our non-concrete industry witnesses today to better
understand those issues.

I think we all share the same objectives: to grow jobs, improve the quality
and safety of the building materials we use, and heighten consumer awareness. I
want to make sure that this legislation is successful in leveraging all of those
benefits while limiting any negative impacts that may be anticipated. I know that
my colleagues share that goal.

Again, I look forward to hearing from our witnesses, and I yield back the
balance of my time.

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