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

Press Release

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 21st 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).

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