One Voice Announces Manufacturing Get Out the Vote Effort; New Advocacy Website Launched

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the stakes for manufacturers higher than ever, The National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) announced a new initiative to encourage manufacturers to vote in the November 6^th presidential and congressional elections through One Voice, the two associations’ combined federal advocacy program in Washington, DC.

“Manufacturers have a great deal at stake on November 6”

As part of its Get Out the Vote initiative and to enhance its overall advocacy efforts, One Voice announced the launch of a new advocacy website, www.metalworkingadvocate.org. The new website is designed to be the “go to” site on manufacturing policy issues for both policymakers and One Voice members and other manufacturers. Information on the site can help manufacturers to make informed choices when voting for candidates in November. The site features One Voice policy statements on key manufacturing issues , access to resources on how members of Congress vote on key manufacturing issues, information on how to register to vote, and subscription services to receive Washington updates, action alerts and other important information.

The website will also offer visitors the opportunity to download a One Voice “Get Out the Vote” poster to encourage participation in the November elections. Manufacturers and their families account for 7% of the voting age population – a critical number in a Presidential race that may be won by a 1 or 2 percent margin.

“Manufacturers have a great deal at stake on November 6,” said PMA President Bill Gaskin. “Unless Congress acts, $5.4 trillion in tax increases, and $1.2 trillion in defense and domestic budget cuts due to sequestration will begin on January 1, 2013. This will devastate the economy and, in particular, our industry. We cannot overstate how important it is for everyone with a stake in the future of manufacturing in this country to go to the polls on election day and make their voice heard.”

“The new One Voice website reflects our commitment to strengthen the voice of small and medium-sized manufacturers in America,” said NTMA President Dave Tilstone. “Our voices are indeed growing stronger, and politicians increasingly approach us to learn how they can support U.S. manufacturing. One Voice members have hosted presidential candidates and members of Congress at their facilities and testified before Congress on tax reform, high fuel prices and energy policy, and regulations. They consistently draw attention to workforce development needs. We will continue to implement an aggressive advocacy program online, on the ground and in Washington to strengthen manufacturing in America.”

To subscribe to One Voice newsletters and action alerts, please visit the new website at www.metalworkingadvocate.org.

About One Voice: The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA)’s and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)’s combined “One Voice” federal government advocacy program represents nearly 3,000 metalworking companies and is designed to promote U.S. government policies that will ensure a strong manufacturing sector in the United States. For additional information, please visit www.metalworkingadvocate.org.