Bipartisan Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing Bill Continues Trend of Strengthening American Manufacturing

Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently introduced The Global Leadership in Advanced Manufacturing Act. The legislation is focused on promoting the expansion of the Manufacturing USA institutes, as well as strengthening the state of American manufacturing overall.

The Manufacturing USA program is a network of 14 manufacturing institutes dedicated to advancing the state of American manufacturing. It has been in place since 2014. China recently announced its new Made in China 2025 plan, which calls for the establishment of 40 manufacturing institutes that share the same goals as the Manufacturing USA network. China’s goal of 40 institutes by 2025 will significantly outpace the rate of U.S. manufacturing and take away market shares from U.S.-based manufacturers if the U.S. does not continue its efforts to ramp up American manufacturing.

“The United States must remain a global leader in manufacturing, and we need to commit to investing in public-private partnerships to boost this critical sector,” Senator Gardner noted. “The Manufacturing USA program has already benefitted Colorado-based partners like NREL, and this bipartisan legislation will help bolster these programs across Colorado and the country.”

“Manufacturing is a cornerstone of American economic security and investment in advanced manufacturing is critical to ensure the future of U.S. global competitiveness,” said Senator Coons. “This bill will help expand the national network of public-private partnerships and continue NIIMBL’s work in Delaware to commercialize cutting-edge research and create new, well-paying manufacturing jobs. Support for manufacturing is bipartisan, and the Manufacturing USA program is where Congress and the Administration can find common ground.”

Among the bill’s provisions, it seeks to promote new advanced manufacturing institutes in innovative new sectors such as advanced battery technologies, robotics and advanced sensors. The legislation also calls on the Department of Commerce to facilitate the development of standards-based, nationally portable, industry-recognized certifications in collaboration with industry, career and technical education schools, local community colleges and labor organizations.

To achieve these goals and solidify America’s place as a global manufacturing leader, the legislation calls for increased interagency collaboration, and strengthens the Department of Commerce’s authority to bring together the Manufacturing USA institutes with federal agencies whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced manufacturing.

To view the legislation in full, click here:
https://www.coons.senate.gov/download/glam-bill-text

For more information on the Manufacturing USA institutes, click here:
https://www.manufacturingusa.com/