Taking the opportunity to reiterate its call for the U.S. government to change its energy policy so that U.S. manufacturers can compete globally, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) president John Engler applauded President Bush's State of the Union Address. "It is abundantly clear we need a comprehensive national policy on energy," Engler said. "Sky-high energy costs are a major impediment to our ability to compete in the global marketplace. We need to increase access to domestic energy sources, especially natural gas, even as we accelerate research and development of alternative fuels and expansion of nuclear power options."
Engler also commented on President Bush's health care plans, another pervasive problem for manufacturers who have high legacy health care costs. "In particular, his focus on making health care more accessible and affordable is admirable. We also need an aggressive transition to greater reliance on information technology and transparency to reduce costs and mistakes in our health care system."
