Earlier this year, Chiz Bros., represented by Kristin Rhoa took part in the Forging Industry Association’s (FIA) Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., joining manufacturers from across the country to advocate for policies that support domestic forging and manufacturing. The two-day event provided an opportunity to connect directly with lawmakers and policy advisors, share real-world challenges, and reinforce the importance of fair trade enforcement for American industry. As a supplier of Made in America products to various FIA members, it is important for Chiz Bros. to advocate.
Focus on Section 232 Tariffs and Trade Enforcement
A major theme of Lobby Day was Section 232 tariffs, specifically the push to raise tariffs on Chinese steel to 75% and to close loopholes that allow unfair imports into the U.S. Discussions focused on practices such as transshipping steel through other countries, including Mexico, and the misuse or avoidance of proper HTS codes. These loopholes continue to disadvantage U.S. manufacturers and undermine domestic investment.
Day One: FIA Briefings and Congressional Engagement
The first day began with a full FIA member meeting led by FIA lobbyists Omar and Jennifer. Approximately 25 FIA members from around the country attended. The session reviewed the schedule for Capitol Hill meetings and outlined key talking points.
Representative Mike Carey (R–Ohio) stopped by to speak with the group for about 15 minutes. While supportive of tariffs, he shared a pragmatic perspective, emphasizing that districts and party dynamics can shift over time. He noted that his own district had changed significantly in recent years. Broader topics such as immigration were also discussed, with the connection made between border security and the flow of imported goods into the U.S.
Later that evening, Representative Mike Kelly (R–PA, Butler area) joined the group during the cocktail hour. He spoke strongly in support of American manufacturing and expressed concern over the imbalance in global trade, particularly within the automotive industry. During this time, Chiz Bros. briefly shared its local connection, highlighting work performed at Butler Works. Other Pennsylvania companies, including Ellwood and SMS, also met with members of his team during the week.
Day Two: Meetings with Senators, Representatives, and Policy Advisors
The second day focused on smaller group meetings with elected officials and their staffs. Chiz Bros. joined regional manufacturing peers, including representatives from FerroWorks, Ellwood, and SMS.
The day began with Senator Dave McCormick’s (R–PA) weekly “Keystone Coffee,” which hosted roughly 30 attendees from various industries. Senator McCormick spoke briefly with each group, shared updates on current legislative efforts, and fielded questions.
Following the coffee, the group met with Mitchell Shea, a policy advisor for Senator McCormick. Much of the discussion focused on firsthand industry experience. Our group spoke about intellectual property concerns, including technical drawings being sent overseas and altered without consent, creating downstream quality and security risks. The conversation also touched on defense manufacturing and the growing concern that components for U.S. military equipment are being sourced or produced abroad.
Another meeting was held with Nic Borgaonkar, Policy Advisor for Senator John Fetterman (D–PA). FIA President Mark Ames helped guide this discussion, which mirrored many of the same themes but allowed for more detailed questions on trade enforcement and domestic capability.
Brief meetings were also held with Representative Chris Deluzio (D–PA, Beaver area) and his Legislative Director, Alex Rajakovich. While time was limited, it was encouraging to hear support for tariffs from his office. Unfortunately, Representative Summer Lee’s office was unable to meet during Lobby Day, but FIA materials were left with her staff for follow-up.
Key Takeaways from Lobby Day
Overall, Lobby Day was an informative and valuable experience. Spending two full days alongside fellow manufacturers provided a deeper understanding of the forging industry and the challenges faced across the supply chain. Key topics raised during the meetings included:
- The need for stronger education and awareness around forging, which remains a highly specialized, largely company-taught skill
- Workforce challenges, particularly hiring and retaining skilled employees
- The sheer volume of constituents and organizations competing for lawmakers’ attention, underscoring the importance of coordinated industry advocacy
Chiz Bros. is proud to participate in efforts like FIA Lobby Day and to add its voice in support of policies that protect U.S. manufacturing, promote fair competition, and strengthen the domestic supply chain.