By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is leading a bipartisan congressional appeal to Mexico over its treatment of Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials Co.
Sewell, an Alabama Democrat, joined Republican Reps. Gary Palmer of Alabama and August Pfluger of Texas and Democratic Rep. Salud Carbajal of California in a letter Monday to Mexican Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri Montaño. The lawmakers objected to actions involving Vulcan’s property and operations in Mexico and raised concerns about American workers and trade obligations.
Sewell said she has pursued diplomatic and legislative options on the company’s behalf. Pfluger pointed to a finding by an international tribunal that Mexico violated trade obligations in shutting down part of Vulcan’s operations. Their statements describe the lawmakers’ position in an ongoing dispute; the letter itself does not resolve it.
The dispute has become a business and foreign-policy issue for Alabama because Vulcan is based in Birmingham and its congressional supporters say the company’s employees have been affected. The lawmakers are seeking fair treatment for the company through discussions with Mexican officials.
The bipartisan group also pointed to the Defending American Property Abroad Act as part of its legislative response. A House action on legislation and a letter to an ambassador are separate from a final settlement or restoration of company operations. The next development to watch is Mexico’s response and whether diplomacy or legal proceedings change Vulcan’s ability to use its property. As the dispute proceeds, lawmakers’ claims about specific actions by Mexican officials should continue to be attributed