The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently honored several members of Congress for supporting manufacturing compliance policies and other industry-specific legislation identified by the organization as critical to the growth of the sector in the United States during the 112th Congress.

NAM represents manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states, making it the largest manufacturing association in the nation. Recipients of the organization's Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence were chosen based on the positions they took with regard to key manufacturing legislation that covered issues such as energy policy, taxes and regulations. Specifically, NAM's Key Vote Advisory Committee selected congresspeople whose voting records reflected support for pro-growth, pro-business laws at least 70 percent of the time.

Members of Congress who received the award this year include Robert Hurt of Virginia, Judy Biggert of Illinois and Jeff Denham of California, all of whom are members of the Republican party.

"Manufacturers today compete in a global marketplace," said Jay Timmons, CEO and president of NAM. "It is critical that Washington creates policies to keep us competitive and maintain our mantle of economic leadership."

In a recent statement, Congresswoman Biggert said manufacturing is critical to the country's future and underscored the importance of enacting policies to "drive U.S. exports, promote innovation and help create good jobs here in America."

Meanwhile, Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America, publicly thanked Congressman Denham for supporting the manufacturing sector. Zuchowski added that lawmakers who vote in favor of key initiatives to help bolster the industry recognize that manufacturers are "drivers of economic growth, job creation and prosperity."

Hurt, Biggert and Denham have plenty of company—this year, 248 members of the House of Representatives and 48 senators were acknowledged by NAM for voting in favor of pro-manufacturing policies, which set a new record.

Still a long way to go
However, according to Timmins, gridlock prevented Congress from acting on the sweeping reforms necessary to enact positive changes and reverse the economic recession.

"The choice we face now is whether we continue down a path of uncertainty and risk falling in the fiscal abyss or pursue a thriving manufacturing economy that encourages investment and jobs here in the United States," he said.