Kaptur, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen America’s Manufacturing Industry and Workforce, Improve Economic Competitiveness

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Rob Portman (R-OH) and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Tim Ryan (D-OH), and Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act to create a new Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy (OMII) overseen by a Chief Manufacturing Officer in the Executive Office of the President. This new office will help strengthen America's manufacturing industry and workforce and improve global competitiveness following the coronavirus pandemic.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will also develop a long-term plan to ensure the growth and national security of the U.S. manufacturing industry and workforce and coordinate efforts to support manufacturing across the federal government, improve workforce development and job creation, and enhance research and development.

"America's manufacturing and innovation sectors are second to none, which is why when we work together and support America's key manufacturing industries and workers, there is nothing in this world we can't achieve," said Kaptur. "As a daughter of Toledo, Ohio, a strong, hard-working industrial city, I know how important a strong manufacturing sector is to American families and communities. That's why I'm pleased to author and introduce the bipartisan, bicameral Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act. This legislation will play a pivotal role in strengthening our government's collaboration with and responsiveness to manufacturing leaders, sectors, and workers across the country. Manufacturing businesses, no matter how small or large, play a monumental role in strengthening our communities and our country – they are our backbone. I thank my colleagues Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Tim Ryan (D-OH), and Haley Stevens (D-MI) for introducing this bipartisan bill with me in the House, and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Rob Portman (R-OH) for leading this bill in the Senate. Together, I'm confident we can champion this bill through Congress and to the President's desk without delay."

"A strong manufacturing industry is key to our economic prosperity," said Klobuchar. "It is vital to have a coordinated strategy and long-term vision to help our country stay competitive in an increasingly crowded global market. I'm committed to supporting America's manufacturing industry and workforce and will continue pushing for policies that ensure our long-term health, national security, and economic vitality."

"Manufacturing is vital to Mississippi's economy. Our bill would make increasing domestic manufacturing capability a national priority and identify better ways to harmonize and coordinate the federal permitting process," said Wicker.

"Manufacturing innovation is the foundation of U.S. economic leadership and leads to millions of good jobs across the country. By establishing an Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation, we will ensure that America continues to lead in the next generation of technology-enabled manufacturing, building a more resilient manufacturing sector and securing a healthier economic future for American families," said Coons.

"A strong manufacturing sector is critical to maintaining American competitiveness, to our national security, and to a robust economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis," said Portman. "The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation will work to coordinate existing federal programs and resources for manufacturers, while providing the President with analysis and perspective. Much like the National Security Advisor, the Chief Manufacturing Officer will create a strategic plan to ensure our nation's manufacturing and industrial sector remains world-class."

"At a time when we have seen firsthand the significant harm to our national defense and economic security from the overreliance of manufacturing critical goods overseas, we need to promote focused, streamlined efforts that invest in American manufacturing and safeguard our industrial base going forward. The creation of the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy is an investment in America's economic future, our manufacturing base, and good paying jobs for American workers," said Fitzpatrick. "Our bipartisan legislation takes the necessary steps to reinvigorate American manufacturing for long term success and prosperity and will ensure that workers and companies in every state across the nation can benefit from dynamic economic growth in the manufacturing industry."

"Manufacturing is the lifeblood of our economy, and the backbone of the middle class. Our manufacturing sector employs 8% of the United States workforce and makes up 11% of our GDP. Its importance cannot be overstated, manufacturing plays a critical role in almost every part of our economy, stretching from construction to pharmaceuticals; transportation to agriculture. Nearly 5 million manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000, mostly due to automation, trade deals and off-shoring. We introduced this legislation to ensure that we are looking at the big picture, and doing everything in our power to give American manufacturing the tools it needs to grow and thrive," said Ryan.

"I am thrilled to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill to jumpstart our country's industrial policy at the highest levels of our government," said Stevens. "Michigan's best in class workers stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic to create the products out nation desperately needed in a moment of crisis. Manufacturers and the Hardworking Americans they employ are the backbone of our economy and when we invest in manufacturing, America succeeds."

"I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to create an Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy in the White House," Fleischmann said. "Manufacturing is critical for America's success in the 21^st century. It is important that industrial innovation remains a strong focus for our nation. We will need to continue to work together to ensure that we prioritize the American worker, job creation, and research and development in order for the United States to remain a global leader in manufacturing and trade."

This legislation is endorsed by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), American Mold Builders Association (AMBA), American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC), Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT), Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI), Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Economic Development Council (IEDC), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), National Association of Manufacturing (NAM), National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA), State Science & Technology Institute (SSTI), International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), and United Steel Workers (USW).

Rep. Kaptur's Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act will:

• Create the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy led by the CMO, who advises the President. The OMII also provides a comprehensive study across administration management of efforts to ensure America's global leadership in manufacturing critical to the long-term health and national security of the United States, including developing a National Strategic Plan, quadrennially, with short and long-term goals.
• Establish the Federal Strategy and Coordinating Council on Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation, chaired by the President, to coordinate manufacturing and industrial innovation policy. The Council will convene the heads of various executive agencies—including Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, HHS, DOD, and Energy—to establish national priorities and coordinated strategies for manufacturing and industrial innovation policy and investment.
• Create a National Medal of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation to recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge in manufacturing and industrial innovation.
• Establish the President's Committee on Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation, comprised of representatives from the business, consumer, defense, public interest, and labor sectors to analyze the landscape of manufacturing efforts and activities in America. The Committee will be apportioned by the President and report on the state of manufacturing and provide recommendations to strengthen the sector through federal policies and initiatives.
• Establish a Federally Funded Research & Development Center: The Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Institute, to gather, analyze, initiate studies, and assist the federal government on issues and concerns related to American manufacturing and industrial innovation. The National Institute of Standards and Technology will sponsor the Institute.

"The U.S. has seen massive supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19, which have required small manufacturers to rapidly reinvent both their products and their services. Senator Klobuchar understands the challenges facing American manufacturers and has demonstrated long standing support for this critical industry," said Chuck Spangler, board chair of the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC) and president of the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership. "We at ASMC thank Senator Klobuchar for her leadership and we look forward to working with her in the future."

"AMT, which represents the manufacturing technology industry, applauds Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Wicker (R-MS) and Reps. Kaptur (D-OH) and Reed (R-NY) for introducing the bipartisan Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act of 2021. By establishing a central office at the White House, this legislation creates a direct line to the President on issues critical manufacturing growth and innovation. It ensures attention at the highest level of government to rebuilding domestic supply chains, investing in R&D, leveling the playing field, and educating and training a diverse, skilled workforce. Thank you for your leadership on behalf of America's manufacturers. AMT looks forward to working with you on this vital effort," said Doug Woods, President of AMT.

"The COVID pandemic laid bare what many of us have been saying for years—the United States is long overdue for a comprehensive, national manufacturing and innovation strategy. The foundation laid in this bipartisan bill to create an Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy and a federal plan for manufacturing will go a long way to making that a reality. The AFL-CIO is proud to endorse this important bill," said Brad Markell, Executive Director of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council.

"The Machinists Union applauds Senators Klobuchar, Wicker, Coons, and Portman, and Representative Kaptur and Representative Fitzpatrick for not only recognizing the critical importance of the U.S. manufacturing industry, but for also proposing long awaited legislation that will rebuild U.S. manufacturing for a sustainable future. The bipartisan Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act places a priority on creating the kind of high wage jobs that American workers and our economy need now and for future generations," said Robert Martinez, Jr., President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

"We applaud the introduction of the bipartisan Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act. As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, America has become far too vulnerable because we have lost the manufacturing capacity to make critical goods. We must dramatically upscale our investments in infrastructure, innovation, and the workforce. A national manufacturing strategy, combined with an office dedicated to strengthening domestic manufacturing in the Executive Office of the President, will help ensure those investments create the resilient supply chains we need to rebuild our economy and safeguard our security," said Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.

"The decisions made by every federal department affects manufacturers, often with unintended consequences. The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act will help make sure small and medium sized manufacturers have a strong voice within the federal government and help agencies coordinate policies that encourage domestic manufacturing," said Miles Free, Director of Industry Affairs at the Precision Machined Products Association.

"The bipartisan Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act is a critical step toward establishing an effective national industrial strategy that would benefit working people and union members in every state and congressional district. IFPTE applauds Senators Klobuchar, Wicker, Coons, and Portman and Representative Kaptur and Fitzpatrick for proposing legislation that aligns federally-funded research, development, and technological innovation with the goal of rebuilding the nation's industrial base and supports high-quality high-wage domestic manufacturing jobs," said Paul Shearon, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

"Manufacturing has been the foundation of the US economy from the beginning. Bipartisan support of this effort highlights the importance of working together to ensure future economic opportunity for all Americans," said Professor Mark Johnson, Director of Clemson Center for Advanced Manufacturing, former Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office at the US Department of Energy.

"The federal government needs an industrial policy for manufacturing in America that encourages innovation and investment, in both technologies and people. The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act will make sure that the White House has a coordinated strategy to promote domestic manufacturing growth," said Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association.

"I can think of few more important initiatives for our long term competitiveness than the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act. In the years to come, this legislation will ensure robust coordination across every facet of public and private enterprise, and advance both our national and economic security. Public policy in these key areas are often undertaken on an ad hoc, disaggregated basis. The provisions of this bill will set the foundation for America to ‘Build Back Better' — with a robust strategy grounded in real science, productivity, and smart job growth," said Neal Orringer, Former Director of Manufacturing for the U.S. Department of Defense and Former Manufacturing Senior Advisor to U.S. Commerce Secretary and Co-Chair of White House Office of Manufacturing Policy.

"The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act gives manufacturers a long overdue seat at the policy-making table at a time when the sector is taking a leading role responding to the pandemic and driving the economy," said David Klotz, President of Precision Metalforming Association.

"Rapid and effective implementation of President Biden's BuildBackBetter agenda is critical to restore the nation's global competitiveness in manufacturing and rebuild our domestic supply chains. The Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Office, modeled on the Office of Science and Technology Policy, will develop a national manufacturing strategy, strengthen partnerships between the federal and state governments, and coordinate the siloed 58 federal manufacturing programs. Working closely with the private sector and educational institutions, the Office will ensure that all workers, communities, and companies will participate in economic growth," said Phillip Singerman, former NIST Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services (2011-2020).

"The White House should take a whole of government approach to manufacturing and the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act will put the sector at the center of policymaking within the Executive Office of the President," said Kym Conis, Managing Director of the American Mold Builders Association.

"Based on my experience as the Assistant Director for Advanced Manufacturing at OSTP (2009-12), creating the OMII is a critical step to regain America's leadership in advanced manufacturing, rebuild the national manufacturing innovation ecosystem, and rekindle American ingenuity. OMII is designed to provide a much needed national strategy and requisite policy implementation to ensure that what is invented here is manufactured here to deliver a return on investment of taxpayer dollars in science and technology," said Sridhar Kota, Executive Director of MForesight: Alliance for Manufacturing Foresight; Herrick Professor of Engineering at the University of Michigan.

"The fastener industry makes the nuts, bolts and screws that hold the world together. We are pleased to support this legislation to elevate manufacturing within the Executive Office of the President, and to better coordinate the various manufacturing initiatives across the federal government as the U.S. focuses on a needed national manufacturing strategy," said Dan Walker, Managing Director of the Industrial Fasteners Institute.

A fact sheet for the House version of the bill can be found here.

Full bill text for the House version can be found here.

kaptur.house.gov