Subcommittee Chairwoman Haley Stevens Introduces American Manufacturing Leadership Act
(Washington, DC) – Today, Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman Haley Stevens (D-MI), along with Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA), and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), introduced H.R. 2397, the American Manufacturing Leadership Act (AMLA). This legislation strengthens our nation’s largest investment in advanced manufacturing – the Manufacturing USA Program. Manufacturing USA has made great strides in its seven years of existence in accelerating our nation’s progress in advanced manufacturing. AMLA builds upon that success to strengthen our advanced manufacturing workforce, include more of the small and medium manufacturers that are the lifeblood of our economy, and leverage existing programs across our federal government to help Manufacturing USA Institutes achieve their goals.
“Before serving in Congress, I worked at a Manufacturing USA Institute conducting research on digital manufacturing techniques and the future of work,” said Subcommittee Chairwoman Haley Stevens. “I have seen how Manufacturing USA uses the public-private partnership model to create a unique collaborative platform for U.S. industry and academia to exchange best-in-class expertise to solve challenges and push the bounds of innovation. I am proud to introduce the bipartisan American Manufacturing Leadership Act to ensure that the Manufacturing USA Institutes can continue their great work. This will help the companies in my district stay at the forefront of global innovation in advanced manufacturing technologies, while continuing to develop the workforce of today and tomorrow.”
“Just as Ohio is called ‘The Heart of It All,’ small businesses are the heart of the U.S. economy,” said Congressman Troy Balderson. “That’s why programs like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which helps small- and medium-sized businesses create and retain jobs, are vital to a prosperous America.”
“We are rapidly entering a new era of advanced manufacturing in which the products we will make require technologies that don’t yet exist,” said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. “We must continue to support robust investments in advanced manufacturing, in partnership with the private sector, to ensure that our nation remains a global leader in this essential economic sector."
“Northeast Ohio relies on the strength of our manufacturing industry, with about 41,000 people in my district directly working in the industry and contributing $2.2. billion annually in payroll. In a world with quickly advancing technology, it is critical we keep up and promote workforce development and innovation that will close our nation’s skills gap in advanced manufacturing and keep our nation on the cutting edge of technological advancement. This bill will help us do just that,” said Rep. Anthony Gonzalez.
“Rebuilding our manufacturing sector requires the loyalty and ingenuity of American workers, the innovation of our private sector and the commitment of our government,” said Rep. Joe Kennedy. “In the years since we passed the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act, cities, towns and regions with deep manufacturing roots have built new industries and strengthened communities. With today’s introduction of the AMLA Act, we can continue that growth and prepare our workforce and local businesses for a rapidly evolving economy.”
The American Manufacturing Leadership Act would:
- Reauthorize and amend the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act of 2014 and extend it to all agencies sponsoring centers for manufacturing innovation.
- Strengthen the institutes’ role in advanced manufacturing workforce development and in outreach to and inclusion of small and medium sized businesses.
- Authorize agencies to renew institutes for an additional period of funding following a rigorous review of the institute’s progress toward meeting measurable goals.
- Expand the authorities of the Manufacturing USA Program office housed at NIST to collaborate with other agencies, including to develop network-wide performance goals.
- Encourage the Program office to develop pilot programs and identify and disseminate best practices in education and workforce training for the institutes.
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