Rep. Stevens’ American Manufacturing Leadership Act Passes Science Committee
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 1st, the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology passed H.R. 2397, the American Manufacturing Leadership Act, by a unanimous bipartisan vote. Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), the lead sponsor of the legislation, introduced the American Manufacturing Leadership Act (AMLA) yesterday.
The bipartisan American Manufacturing Leadership Act will reauthorize and improve the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act by increasing funding for the program, strengthening the institutes’ role in advanced manufacturing workforce development, and facilitating regional supply chain development. Science Committee Chairwoman Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA), Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), Rep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), and Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH) are original cosponsors of the bill.
Passed in 2014, RAMI created Manufacturing USA, a public-private network of 14 manufacturing institutes to secure U.S. global leadership in advanced manufacturing. These institutes bring together federal agencies, manufacturers of all sizes, universities, community colleges, and nonprofits to catalyze new technologies, meet research needs, and train the workforce of the future. Two of these Manufacturing USA Institutes, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) and Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (LIFT), are based or have a significant presence in southeast Michigan.
“Before serving in Congress, I worked at a Manufacturing USA Institute conducting research on digital manufacturing techniques and the future of work,” said Congresswoman 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 thrilled that the Science Committee voted to advance my bill, the American Manufacturing Leadership Act, with bipartisan support during today’s committee markup session. This bill will ensure that the Manufacturing USA program can continue to contribute to the growth of our domestic advanced manufacturing industry and an advanced manufacturing workforce to fill the high-skills jobs of the future.”
Click HERE to read a transcript of Congresswoman Stevens’ full statement in support of the American Manufacturing Leadership Act during today’s markup.
Click HERE to read the American Manufacturing Leadership Act.
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.
Congresswoman Stevens previously served as the Director of Workforce Development and Manufacturing Engagement at the Digital Manufacturing & Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), a Manufacturing USA institute focused on the development of digital manufacturing techniques.
“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.”
“We care about ensuring American manufacturing remains competitive on the global stage,” said Rep. Tom Reed. “By encouraging all levels of government to work with businesses and education leaders, we can give manufacturers a fair shot at success in New York’s 23rd District and across the country. The Manufacturing USA Program is more than a bill – it is an opportunity to create high-tech, high-paying manufacturing jobs for Americans.”
The American Manufacturing Leadership Act has been endorsed by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, and BPC Action.
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