Statement from Dennis Slater, President of Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

The level of voter dissatisfaction expressed at the polls yesterday is a clarion call for better policies that will dramatically increase U.S. jobs. Millions of unemployed workers and families concerned about the stability of the economy expect more vigorous leadership from the new Congress. The time for campaigning is over; the time for governing is long overdue.

The urgency to stimulate job growth is as great today as it was before the election, and the new Congress should focus on issues where there is bipartisan agreement to show immediate progress in 2011. Specifically, generating economic activity by rebuilding and modernizing America’s infrastructure is an issue both Republicans and Democrats – and American voters – agree on. Our elected legislators can take the first step towards creating jobs via infrastructure investment by passing the highway bill – a bill which has been stalled in Congress since September 2009.

AEM and our member companies are committed to working with the new Congress to craft a national manufacturing policy that reduces unemployment, increases American exports and builds a healthier economy for all our people.