Science Dems: H.R. 250 Good Start, But We Can Do Better for American Workers
H.R. 250 - Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2005 - passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 394-24. The legislation - which originated in the Science Committee - was initially designed to stimulate manufacturing, jobs and innovation in the U.S.
Calling it a "missed opportunity" for American workers, many Committee Democrats reluctantly supported the bill today because it funds the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) - a job creation program strongly supported by Committee Democrats - and it serves as the vehicle for authorization of programs under the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
"This bill does some good, but American workers deserve better," stated Ranking Member Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN). "When the House has an opportunity to invest in programs like the clearly successful ATP program - a program that is producing jobs for American workers - logic says that's an opportunity not to be missed."
Dollar for dollar, NIST programs are among the most successful federal investments and have a direct impact on the U.S. economy. The NIST program with the most direct impact on the U.S. job market is the one major program this bill fails to fund - the Advanced Technology Program (ATP).
Democrats were able to significantly strengthen H.R. 250 by including several amendments, most notably language offered by Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) to utilize the MEP program in speeding relief to small and medium-sized manufacturers affected by Hurricane Katrina (Manager’s Amendment).
Other significant portions of H.R. 250 are largely the work of Committee Democrats. Rep. Mark Udall's (D-CO) amendment providing NIST lab funding was adopted during consideration last session and remains in the bill. Mr. Udall also added language on NIST Construction and Modernization as well as provisions for funding the Advanced Technological Education program. Rep. Gordon worked to ensure full MEP funding and planning provisions - central components of H.R. 250.
"This problem is not going away; not today, tomorrow or next week. The U.S. job market is stretched to the limit, and valuable home-grown businesses are being lost to cheaper markets overseas," added Rep. Gordon.
Since 2001, we have lost 2.8 million manufacturing jobs in this country. More than a year ago, the Administration announced a "Manufacturing Initiative" to make inroads into the problem and develop solid Federal policies and programs to retain high-paying, high-skill manufacturing jobs. No report on the status of the initiative is available today from the Administration, and the country continues to lose jobs to overseas markets.
"This country's small and medium-sized manufacturers are the backbone of many communities - when they grow, communities prosper. We must not neglect a single opportunity to support American workers and manufacturers," added Rep. Gordon.
"As this bill moves through the legislative process I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help make this bill all it could be, rather than allow it to be a missed opportunity to bolster some of America's greatest economic generators," concluded Rep. Gordon.
Amendments to H.R. 250 considered by the House today included:
1. Manager's Amendment: [adopted by voice vote]
Incorporates language offered by Rep. Charlie Melancon (H.R. 3826) requiring the MEP program to assist businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina, and requires NIST to study the effects of Katrina on buildings to determine whether to recommend any changes in building codes.
2. Rep. Bart Gordon #3: [adopted by voice vote]
Requires the Director of the NIST to provide to the House Science Committee and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation a 3-year programmatic and operational plan for the MEP. Requires the plan to include comments of the MEP National Advisory Board and of the State partners.
3. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) #8: [passed by a vote of 416-8]
Makes funds under the section titled "Scientific and Technical Research and Services" available to the maximum extent practicable, to diverse institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority serving institutions for Technical Workforce Education and Development.
4. Rep. John Larson (D-CT) #4: [failed by a vote of 210-213]
Re-orients the current Technology Administration (TA), the Undersecretary of Technology, and Office of Technology Policy (OTP) towards manufacturing and Competitiveness issues. Renames and refocuses TA by establishing a Manufacturing Administration, an Undersecretary of Manufacturing, and an Office of Industry Analysis. Requires the Manufacturing Administration to conduct broad-based manufacturing and technology policy analysis; and to coordinate with States, local governments, and universities on manufacturing and technology activities. NIST and the National Technical Information Service would remain a part of the Manufacturing Administration.
5. Rep. Mark Udall #2: [failed by a vote of 210-212]
Increases the authorization levels of NSF's Advanced Technological Education Program to $70 million for FY06, $73.5 million for FY07, and $77 million for FY08.
A motion to recommit offered by Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) attempted to amend the bill by adding an authorization for ATP - the program is not funded in the bill and is targeted for elimination by the Administration. The authorization within the motion for NIST is at a level of $140 million for Fiscal Year 2006 - the level included in the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. [failed by a vote of 196-226]
Democrats also offered amendments to expand the reach of the bill to improve workforce training, stimulate technological innovation and strengthen America's manufacturing efforts. Democratic amendments refused floor consideration include:
Rep. Mike Honda
Authorized $140 million for ATP in FY06.
Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI)
Authorized $20 million for ATP to hold a competition and issue awards for research to improve energy efficient and reduce domestic dependence on gasoline and heating oil.
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL)/Rep. Bart Gordon
Required the U.S. Department of Commerce to release all staff reports done by Technology Administration staff relating to the off-shoring of American jobs. The titles of the reports are: The Impact of Workforce Globalization on Knowledge-based Industries and The Impact of Workforce Globalization on the U.S. Information Technology Services and Software Sectors.
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO)
Struck current language creating an Advisory Committee and establishes a Presidential Council on Manufacturing. Directs the Council to issue reports on selected topic areas and within 18 months issue a National Manufacturing Strategy, to include specific goals for and action to be taken by the Federal government. Directs the Council on a yearly basis to publish an assessment of federal agencies’ implementation of the Manufacturing Strategy.
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