US Tyre industry sees difficult times with Democrat Congress

Washington, DC - With Democrats winning their first majority in the House of Representatives in 12 years - and appearing to have won the Senate too - representatives of the tyre industry predicted a tough time for industry-specific legislation in the 110th Congress.

"A lot of the business agenda that didn't get passed in the last two years will now have to wait at least another two years," said Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of the Tire Industry Association. Among the items Littlefield feared would suffer in the new Congress were a permanent repeal of the estate tax and the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, both major legislative priorities for TIA.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association took a more watchful view of the election results. "We will certainly be reaching out to new members and new leaders in Congress in the coming months to ensure that they understand and appreciate the tyre industry's economic contributions, as well as the safety and reliability of its products," an RMA spokesman said.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)