SOCMA, the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates congratulates President Barack Obama on his re-election. The trade association representing more than 200 specialty chemical makers and industry providers is hopeful that both political parties can set aside the bitterness of the campaign and address the needs of the nation quickly.

"We look forward to working with the Obama administration and the 113th Congress to find common ground on advancing our industry's priorities forward," said SOCMA President & CEO Larry Sloan.  With the election now over, Congress needs to turn its attention to a number of immediate issues in the remaining months of 2012. Among those priorities is the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, which needs to be approved without delay. Chemical manufacturers leverage duty suspensions to innovate and compete in the global marketplace.

"Action on this bill must be done in the lame duck session this year," Sloan said. "Failing to do so would create economic uncertainty, especially among small and mid-sized specialty manufacturers who incorporate these duty suspensions into their budgets."

"To help ensure the needs of specialty manufacturers are well-known to the new Congress, SOCMA will be launching its "First 100 Days" initiative in January," said Bill Allmond, SOCMA's Vice President of Government and Public Relations. "This effort will include meetings between industry leaders and SOCMA staff with a targeted list of Congressional members and committees who play a role overseeing our industry's priorities, such as policies that help our members remain competitive and expand their markets."