The Leslie Marshall Show

'Made in USA' Shines at the Olympics with Team USA's Opening and Closing Ceremony Uniforms!

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union. 

The two discuss how Team USA athletes at this year's Olympic Games in Paris came to wear opening and closing ceremony uniforms that have been 100% exclusively made in America, with 100% domestically sourced materials.

During this conversation, the pair also talked about a recent episode of AAM's "The Manufacturing Report" podcast, hosted by Scott, where he interviewed family-run shoe manufacturer Rancourt & Co.Co-owner and President Mike Rancourt. Mike shared the process of creating these iconic, American-made shoes, how they came to work with Ralph Lauren for the designer's Team USA Olympic uniform, and the pride Rancourt & Co. shoes bring to the Lewiston, Maine community.You can listen to the episode, and all of the other episodes of "The Manufacturing Report," at SoundCloud.com/Keep-It-Made-In-America.

Scott also shared his first hand experience attending a recent event with Congressman Ro Khanna. Rep. Khanna laid out new legislation called the Modern Steel Act, which would see a robust steel industry that’s environmentally friendly, union-represented, and state-of-the-art. And Khanna wants to do it in America’s old steel towns, bringing new life to the communities who built our nation. So Khanna came to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, kicking off his new initiative inside the long-shuttered Bethlehem Steel railcar wheel plant.

For over 17 years, Mr. Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.

Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA.
Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM. 

Kamala Harris Quickly Unites Democratic Party, Leaving Trump-Vance Campaign Reeling

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is first joined by Bloomberg Government's Kate Ackley to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, which launched just a week ago, but has already hit some impressive metrics with voter enthusiasm and fundraising totals.

Then, Sarah Jones, Editor-In-Chief of Politicus USA, analyzes how the Trump-Vance campaign has been reeling since President Biden announced he would not be seeking re-election a week ago.
They also discuss the phone calls that volunteers are organizing for different groups of constituents on behalf of the new Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kate Ackley's handle on X is @kackleyZ and the website for Bloomberg Government is bgov.com.Sarah Jones' handle on X is PoliticusSarah and the website for Politicus USA is PoliticusUSA.com.
Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Biden Bows Out of Presidential Race, Endorses Vice President Harris

The guest host for today's show is Brad Bannon. Brad runs Bannon Communications Research, a polling, message development and media firm which helps labor unions, progressive issue groups and Democratic candidates win public affairs and political campaigns. His show, 'Deadline D.C. with Brad Bannon,' airs every Monday from 3-4pm ET.

Brad is joined by two accomplished political guests to discuss the unprecedented history that has taken place within the past 24 hours, with President Biden electing not to run for re-election, and instead, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris.

Brad is first joined by Charlie Cook, Founder of the 'Cook Political Report.'

Then, for the second half of the show, Brad's guest is Juliane Schäuble, US Correspondent for Der Tagesspiegel, Berlin's biggest newspaper.

Charlie's handle is on X is @CharlieCookDC.  Juliane's handle there is @berlin_juliane.

Brad writes a political column every Sunday for 'The Hill.' He's on the National Journal's panel of political insiders and is a national political analyst for WGN TV and Radio in Chicago and KNX Radio in Los Angeles.
You can read Brad's columns at www.MuckRack.com/Brad-Bannon. His handle on X is @BradBannon.

Why Enforcement of the 'Made in USA' Label is SO Important; Biden Admin Awards Grants for EV Manufacturing

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

Here are the topics that they discuss:

1. Polling shows that American shoppers prize the "Made in USA" label and are willing to pay more for it—something that ​counterfeiters are all too happy to capitalize. So how can the Federal Trade Commission protect the integrity of "Made in USA"? AAM is out with a new explainer video that is shared with the audience.

***Call your Representatives today in support of the COOL Online Act at 202-224-3121.  
Use AAM's 'Made in America' online directory at AmericanManufacturing.org/made-in-america***

2. The U.S. is "frighteningly behind China" in global shipping, AAM President testified before the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party at the end of June.
How can the U.S. correct course?

3. The Biden administration announced the investment of $1.7 billion dollars in grants for auto plant retooling projects across eight states as it works to transition the U.S. auto industry to electric vehicle technology.
 
4. U.S. brands like McDonald's, Apple, Starbucks, and Nike flocked to China to gain access to the world's second-largest consumer market, but Chinese companies are studying the West's formulas for success and pushing the competition out. Is the Chinese market fool's gold?

For over 17 years, Scott Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.
Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA.
Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM. 

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Workers Need the PRO Act

Leslie is joined by Maria Somma, Organizing Director for the United Steelworkers (USW).

The pair explores why workers still need the PRO Act.

This includes white collar workers, which Maria shares multiple examples of with the audience.
Workers in the South are also eager to exercise their rights, though this is drawing backlash from anti-worker politicians in states like Georgia and Alabama.

The Biden administration has done important work to correct course at the NLRB, and there are pro-worker provisions in recent investments, which are helping smooth the way for workers to have a voice on the job.  This includes extensive new requirements for infrastructure projects to be “made in America” as part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Known as the Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA), this section of the law promises to stimulate American manufacturing and create jobs for American workers by ensuring that a substantial portion of BIL funding is used to purchase U.S.-made products and materials.

However, workers still face an uphill battle when it comes to forming unions.  The solution is to finally pass comprehensive legislation that shores up loopholes in our laws and attaches real, immediate penalties to corporations that violate workers’ rights. 
Leslie and Maria share the legislative solution to these issues, which is the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act).

They detail what the law would do, which is:
- Establish stronger and swifter remedies to stop employers from breaking the law
- Make companies recognize contractors as part of the collective bargaining process so they can no longer continue to whittle down Union membership by subcontracting
- Force an employer to reach a first contract in a timely manner with a newly organized group of workers. (No more dragging out first contracts)
- Reverse so-called 'Right to Work,' regardless of state laws
 - Prohibit employers from forcing employees to attend anti-union meetings
Recent polls show that support for unions is at a fifty-year high, and having Joe Biden, the only sitting President to walk a picket line, in office has helped workers a great deal.  But, it’s time for the law to catch up. 

Maria Somma has been an organizer for her entire career, first as a community organizer, and then as a labor organizer. 
She started with the Steelworkers in 2001 as a healthcare workers organizer, and became Organizing Director in 2015.
The website for the USW is www.USW.org.
Their handle on X and Instagram is @steelworkers. Like them on Facebook by visiting www.Facebook.com/Steelworkers.

Why Trump's Conviction is an Important Victory for the Rule of Law: Author of "Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement?"

Leslie is joined by Mike Sozan, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress Action Fund.
The two analyze the significance of former President Donald Trump being found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his New York election interference case.
They also chat about Mike's new piece for the DC Journal, titled, "COUNTERPOINT: Trump’s Conviction Is an Important Victory for the Rule of Law."

Then, Leslie is joined by whose new book, "Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement?", has reached #1 best-seller status on Amazon in seven categories, including Campaigns and Elections.

In addition to previewing the book, the pair discusses:

• Top reasons that MAGA, by definition, is a domestic terrorist movement
• Textbook reasons that the January 6th insurrection was a terrorist attack on home soil
• Here's what pseudo-Christians and MAGA mean when they use the word, "Woke"
• What will America become if Trump is reelected in November?
• What peaceful actions can be taken to counteract MAGA?

Mike Sozan is a top expert on American democracy, and served as former Senator Mark Udall’s Chief of Staff, worked for former Senators Jim Webb and Bill Nelson, and also served as an Attorney for the Department of Justice and the FCC. 
The website for the Center for American Progress Action Fund is www.AmericanProgressAction.org.
Their handle on X is @CAPAction, on Facebook is @AmericanProgressAction, and on Instagram is @FightForProgress.

Russell Jack is a former US Federal Air Marshal, spent years inside the government, working alongside MAGA supporters. He has decades of experience in detecting, deterring, and defeating terrorism and criminal activity.
He is passionate in his defense of Democracy, currently under attack by the terrorist group known as MAGA (Make America Great Again). He hopes his book and his website will promote critical thinking about protecting our Democracy, and just how precariously close we are to losing it forever.
His website, where you can purchase the book, is www.MAGATerrorism.com, and you can follow him on Facebook, where his handle is @MAGATerrorism.

President Biden Announces New Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Semiconductors, Solar Cells and More

Leslie is joined by Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), a partnership established by some of America’s leading manufacturers and the United Steelworkers union.

First, Scott breaks down today's move by President Biden to levy new tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, batteries, solar cells, steel and aluminum. The tariffs on Chinese EVs will rise to 100%, quadrupling the current tariff of 25%.
It's the latest bid by the Biden administration to keep China from undercutting U.S. companies and threatening U.S. manufacturing jobs, many of which are union jobs.

Second, Leslie and Scott discuss yesterday's Substack piece by Elizabeth Pancotti at Roosevelt Forward, titled, "Why It’s Good, Actually, That You Can’t Buy the World’s Cheapest Electric Vehicle." (Link--> https://rooseveltforward.substack.com/p/why-its-good-actually-that-you-cant)

Next, Scott explains why what’s happening at ports in Belgium should worry both American automakers and policymakers.

Finally, Leslie and Scott explore how America is at a crossroads when it comes to trade policy.

For over 16 years, Scott Paul and AAM have worked to make American manufacturing a top-of-mind issue for voters and our national leaders through effective advocacy, innovative research, and a savvy public relations strategy.
Their website is www.AmericanManufacturing.org and their handle on X is @KeepItMadeInUSA.
Scott's handle is @ScottPaulAAM. 

Biden Administration Takes Major Step Toward Closing 'Gun Show Loophole,' Requires Thousands More Dealers to Run Background Checks

Leslie is joined by Nick Wilson, Senior Director for Gun Violence Prevention at American Progress, where he leads the organization’s efforts to reduce gun violence and shrink the footprint of the criminal justice system while improving public health and safety.

The pair discusses the Biden Administration taking a major step towards closing the 'gun show loophole,' requring thousands more gun dealers to run background checks.
The administration first proposed the rule in August, after the passage of the most sweeping gun violence bill in decades, a bipartisan compromise in response to the massacre of 19 students and two teachers at a Uvalde, Texas elementary school.

That law expanded the definition of those who are “engaged in the business” of selling firearms, and are required to become licensed by the ATF and therefore run background checks. The rule, which implements the change in the law, will take effect 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register.

There are already roughly 80,000 federally licensed firearms dealers. Administration officials believe the new rule will impact more than 20,000 dealers who have gotten away with selling firearms without a license and performing background checks at places like gun shows and over the internet by claiming they aren’t “engaged in the business” of firearm sales.
 
The website for the Center for American Progress is www.AmericanProgress.org.  Nick's handle on X is @NickWilsonB.

AFL-CIO President Talks Worker Safety, Unions Expanding into the South, and Climate Change Policy Solutions

Leslie is joined by Liz Shuler, president of the 60 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO, and the first woman leader of America’s labor movement.

The two discuss the Union's 2024 'Death on the Job Report,' the recent UAW win in Tennessee and what it means for the broader Union movement in the South, as well as the Inaugural 'Climate, Equity and Jobs Launch' held by the AFL-CIO on Earth Day this year.

The 2024 'Death on the Job Report' can be read here: https://aflcio.org/press/releases/afl-cio-releases-2024-death-job-report-ahead-workers-memorial-day

A visionary leader and longtime trade unionist, Liz Shuler believes the labor movement is the single most powerful vehicle for progress and that unions are a central force in leading lasting societal transformations. She is committed to busting myths about labor, leveraging the labor movement’s diversity for innovative approaches to social justice and making the benefits of a union voice on the job available to working people everywhere.

The website for the AFL-CIO is http://www.AFLCIO.org and their handle on X is @AFLCIO. Liz's handle is @LizShuler.

Restoring Our Nation's Lost Shipbuilding Capacity

Leslie is joined by the International President of the United Steelworkers (USW), David McCall.

The two explore the topic of restoring the United States' lost shipbuilding capacity.

President McCall first details how the USW, alongside four other labor organizations, filed a petition last month requesting the United States Trade Representative (USTR) open an investigation into China’s non-market practices as it seeks to dominate the commercial shipping market.
 
Next, Leslie and President McCall discuss how the loss of shipbuilding capacity poses a grave threat to America's national security.

The pair also explores how the U.S. loss of commercial shipbuilding capacity has directly resulted in the loss of high-paying manufacturing jobs in the sector and across the supply chain.

Finally, President McCall breaks down how the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the danger of relying on foreign manufacturers to supply America's needs.

President McCall previously served four years as International Vice President, leading negotiations that delivered wage increases, stronger job security and other gains for tens of thousands of workers in steel, tire and other key industries.
McCall, a fourth-generation Steelworker, was born and raised in Gary, Indiana. His great-grandfather, grandfather, great-uncles, uncles and mother all worked at U.S. Steel’s Gary Works, and he walked his first picket line at age 7 during the USW’s 116-day, industry-wide strike in 1959.

The website for the United Steelworkers is www.USW.org and their handle on X, Facebook and Instagram is @steelworkers.