Scott Attends Bill Signing Ceremony at the White House

March 16, 2006

(Washington D.C.)- Today Congressman Scott participated in a bill signing ceremony at the White House with President Bush. The bipartisan bill, entitled the "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act," was designed to counter the growing manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit goods. Thousands of jobs and millions of dollars are lost every year due to counterfeit goods.

The bill fell under the jurisdiction of the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security, on which Congressman Scott is the Ranking Democratic Member. After bipartisan negotiations, the bill was reported favorably by the Subcommittee and the full Committee. It then passed the full House and the Senate and was sent to the President for signature.

Rep. Scott attended the signing of the bill along with Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (WI). "Counterfeit goods not only victimize the manufacturer, but shortchange purchasers with substandard products, expose us to risks from unsafe products, and deprive Americans of jobs and other benefits from commerce of authentic goods," said Rep. Scott. "I am proud that this bill moved forward with bipartisan participation and support."

Also present at the signing were Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Department of Commerce; Secretary Elaine Chao, Department of Labor; Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, and Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), the original sponsor of the bill.

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