National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010

Floor Speech

* Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4692, the National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010. I would like to thank Representative Lipinski for introducing this bill which put in place a plan to invigorate our nation's manufacturing sector.

* It is no secret that our nation's manufacturers are struggling, and have been for a long time. In this globalized economy, it is now time to develop a strategy for the proper management of our manufacturing sector. Every day, manufacturing jobs move overseas. This outsourcing is hurting American families and shifting our economy from manufacturing to service. The plan developed through this legislation will improve our domestic manufacturing competitiveness in these new emerging markets so that we can keep our jobs at home. Moreover, there must be an established minimum domestic manufacturing capability in order to rapidly respond in times of national emergencies. This plan takes this important measure into account by further emphasizing the key role of continued domestic manufacturing to our national security.

* Mr. Speaker, I also support the provisions of this bill that provide the necessary oversight for these improvements to be properly implemented. I think that the creation of a Manufacturing Strategy Board for the President is a tremendous idea. It enables a more focused body to narrow in on the needs and opportunities for the manufacturing sector and then report back to the President for action. This will enable budgeting requests to be in line with the recommendations and goals included in the strategy of this new board.

* Overall, a unified, definitive plan is what the manufacturing sector needs in order to continue to grow and flourish. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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