Line workers at parts manufacturer in Peoria got a visit from their congresswoman Tues.
Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos put on safety glasses and spoke with employees at Performance Pattern & Machinery Inc., housed in the old Coca Cola bottling plant on Adams Street.
The second-generation business with 22 employees makes and prototypes parts for companies in construction, industrial and aerospace machinery sectors, including Caterpillar.
Rep. Bustos shook hands with every employee she encountered during her visit, asked about their jobs or their family, and posed the question, in essence: "Where is the federal government an impediment to your success?"
VP of Sales Scott Herman told Rep. Bustos his primary concern pertains to free trade and how the manufacturing sector is losing business to cheaper, foreign markets. "Foundries are suffering," Herman said.
“The United States, we’re just taking it, and bending over to make sure that we kowtow to the rest of the world.”
Bustos told Herman the House is drafting two proposals: one would supply exclusively American-manufactured steel for infrastructure projects, and the other would help small to mid-sized businesses access deals abroad. Herman supports both of those ideas, but he says he’s doubtful that legislators will be able to work through the partisanship in Washington.
The Congresswoman’s visit comes as GOP lawmakers in both the House and Senate push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.
Bustos says she and her fellow Democrats are willing to make changes to the existing law, like addressing the rising costs of premiums.
“I’m not sitting here saying there’s not a problem, because there is a problem,” Bustos said. “Let’s address what’s not working as part of the Affordable Care Act, instead of throwing out an entire plan that has insured 20 million Americans.”
Tom Herman says rising premiums have put a dent in their annual budget.
“Every time the premium goes up, more money comes out of their pockets, as well as the company’s pockets. I don’t have any answers, all I can say is right now we’re dramatically affected by it,” Herman said. “There’s no question about that.”
Herman says he hopes Rep. Bustos remembers the faces of his employees and recalls their conversations when she returns to the Capitol next week.