WASHINGTON – Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced the launch of a Congressional e-hearing today on threats to American jobs in the U.S. automotive industry.  Titled “The American Auto Industry in Crisis: The Threat to Middle Class Jobs, Wages, Health Care and Pensions,” this e-hearing is being sponsored by Kildee and other Democrats on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce to help gather information and create a record about events unfolding at Delphi, General Motors and the future of the American auto industry.  Auto workers and retirees in the 5^th District are encouraged to submit statements between now and the close of the hearing on December 15, to communicate their economic concerns directly to Members of Congress.

“This is an excellent opportunity for working families who have been directly affected by our nation’s misguided economic policies affecting the domestic auto industry to educate Members of Congress on what is happening to their standard of living,” said Kildee. “Thousands of GM and Delphi workers are facing drastic cuts.  They have families to support and bills to pay.  These workers have a right to be heard and Washington needs to hear from them.”

Over the next two weeks, lawmakers will solicit e-testimony from current and retired workers of Delphi and General Motors.  Witnesses may submit testimony through Thursday, December 15.  Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm will also participate in the hearing.  In addition, local elected officials, union leaders, economists, and representatives of GM and Delphi have all been invited to submit statements.

Congressman Kildee and other sponsors of the e-hearing will be posting statements by Members of Congress, union and company leaders, and community representatives on http://edworkforce.house.gov/democrats/autocrisis.html. 

Kildee said that because the Republican Congress frequently fails to hold hearings on issues of major national importance, House Democrats will continue to use e-hearings as a regular forum to give American workers a voice on issues of critical importance to them.  E-hearings also make it possible for people all over the country to participate at little or no expense and on their own schedules.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE E-HEARING

Employees or retirees of Delphi Corp. or General Motors may send testimony of 500 words or less to autocrisis@mail.house.gov. Testimony may be posted online. Witnesses must include their name, address, phone number, and email address to have their statements included in the record.  The information is used for verification purposes; but only the name and hometown will be posted along with each individual’s testimony. Witnesses should discuss how the announced changes at GM and Delphi could affect their lives.

The e-hearing website is http://edworkforce.house.gov/democrats/autocrisis.html.