Statement of Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman
Constance Morella
Technology Subcommittee Hearing
"Unscrewing the Fastener Quality Act"
February 25, 1999
Good Morning and welcome to today’s hearing on reassessing the Fastener Quality Act of 1990.
Last Congress, the Technology Subcommittee held two other hearings on the Fastener Quality Act which resulted in the enactment of P.L. 105-234, the Fastener Quality Act Amendments of 1998.
The new law included my amendment to delay the implementation of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Fastener Quality Act rule until June 1, 1999, or 120 days after the Secretary of Commerce issues a report on changes needed to the Act, whichever is later. Since the Secretary of Commerce was over three weeks late in delivering the report, the earliest the FQA rules can be implemented is June 23, 1999.
Because of the Department of Commerce’s inability to deliver the report and recommendations to us until 4 pm yesterday, a decision was made - after consultation with the Subcommittee’s distinguished Ranking Member Barcia - to rescind the invitation that had been extended for a Commerce representative to appear as a witness at today’s hearing. However, Commerce’s testimony, as well as their responses to follow-up hearing questions, will be included in the official record of this hearing.
It is unfortunate that the Subcommittee was forced to take this step. I think I can speak for all members in my sincere hopes that we will not be put in this position again by the Department of Commerce or any other agency asked to appear before this Subcommittee.
As I have stated in the past, it is my firm belief that, as currently constituted, the Fastener Quality Act is fundamentally flawed and needs significant changes. I am hopeful that working with all impacted parties - fastener manufacturers, distributors and consumers - we can come up with a rewrite of the 1990 Act to eliminate the unnecessary burdens associated with the present statute.
Furthermore, I again wish to point out that it is my intention to fix the Fastener Quality Act once and for all. I am not interested in incremental changes. As Commerce Secretary Daley’s report accurately points out, the fastener industry has changed significantly since 1990. In recognizing this fact, it seems logical that we must review which parts of the Fastener Quality Act are still actually needed and do away with the rest.
To assist us in today’s review of the Act , we look forward to hearing from our panelists on two basic questions:
I am pleased we have a distinguished panel with us today to answer these important questions and to lay the groundwork for rewriting the Fastener Quality Act.
I now recognize the Ranking Member of the Technology Subcommittee, and an original cosponsor and strong supporter of last year’s Amendment to the FQA - Congressman James Barcia of Michigan - for his opening statement.