Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) led a bipartisan letter to Mexican Ambassador Roberto Lazzeri Montaño expressing concern and outrage regarding the Mexican government’s treatment of Birmingham-based Vulcan Materials Company and American workers. The letter is co-led by Reps. August Pfluger (TX-11), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Gary Palmer (AL-06). 

“I am proud to lead this bipartisan letter demanding the fair treatment of Vulcan Materials and Alabama workers in Mexico,” said Rep. Sewell. “For almost a decade, senior members of the Mexican government have used illegal tactics to intimidate Vulcan Materials and their workers, including a military seizure of Vulcan-owned property in Mexico. I have worked closely with my colleagues in Congress as we pursued all diplomatic and legislative options, including passing the Defending American Property Abroad (DAPA) Act. I will continue to fight for all the workers in my district who have suffered from illegal trade actions by foreign nations.”

"Mexico's seizure of Vulcan Materials is a direct threat to American jobs, economic security, and national security," said Rep. Pfluger. "Even after an international tribunal found that Mexico violated its trade obligations by shutting down part of Vulcan's operations, the Mexican government has continued to target this company. That's why the House passed my Defending American Property Abroad Act, making clear the United States will not tolerate the illegal capture of American-owned assets by foreign governments. I'm proud to join my colleagues in this bipartisan effort and advocate for Vulcan Materials."

“American companies and workers operating abroad deserve to be treated with fairness,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The actions taken against Vulcan Materials are unacceptable and a clear violation of international trade norms. I am joining a bipartisan coalition of my colleagues in demanding an immediate resolution to these illegal actions.”

“The Mexican government’s continued targeting of Vulcan Materials is unacceptable,” said Rep. Palmer. “No American company should have its property seized or its operations threatened by a foreign government acting outside the rule of law. Mexico must end these actions, respect Vulcan’s property rights, and demonstrate that it intends to be a trustworthy trading partner of the United States. I’m proud to join my colleagues in standing up for Vulcan and American workers.”

Background

On May 5, 2022, the Mexican government illegally shut down Vulcan’s operations via military force. In March of 2023, the Mexican government invaded and occupied Vulcan’s property again to benefit CEMEX, a private Mexican company.

On September 23, 2024 President López Obrador decreed the property a Naturally Protected Area (NPA) on September 23, 2024, precluding Vulcan from using its property for productive purposes. Now, the Government of Mexico is utilizing baseless criminal charges to re-invade Vulcan’s property and potentially seize Vulcan’s assets.

Earlier this year, Rep. Sewell helped to pass the Defending American Property Abroad (DAPA) Act through the House of Representatives. Sewell previously led Alabama's House delegation in a letter to Mexico’s Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Bárcena demanding a remedy to their illegal invasion and warning of consequences.

The letter was also signed by Reps. Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04), Brian Babin (TX-36), Tom Barrett (MI-07), Aaron Bean (FL-04), Sheri Biggs (SC-03), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Tim Burchett (TN-02), John R. Carter (TX-31), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-06), Ben Cline (VA-06), James Comer (KY-01), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Donald G. Davis (NC-01), Mike Ezell (MS-04), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Clay Fuller (IN-08), Craig A. Goldman (TX-12), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Addison P. McDowell (NC-06), John J. McGuire III (VA-05), Barry Moore (AL-01), Tim Moore (NC-14), Troy E. Nehls (TX-22), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Mike Rogers (AL-03), David Rouzer (NC-07), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Dale W. Strong (AL-05), William R. Timmons IV (SC-04), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Randy K. Weber, Sr. (TX-14), and Daniel Webster (FL-11).

The full letter can be found here.

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