Baldwin, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Advance Made in America Manufacturing Policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues in reintroducing bipartisan legislation to advance Made in America manufacturing policy and economic competitiveness by establishing a National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The bipartisan National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act would establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council to advise lawmakers on how to support our Made in America economy and ensure the U.S. remains the top destination for manufacturing in the world.

The National Manufacturing Advisory Council – made up of manufacturers, labor representatives, and academic experts – would serve as a bridge between the manufacturing sector and federal government to improve communication on their needs. The Advisory Council would then advise Congress annually on how to ensure the U.S. remains the top destination globally for investment in manufacturing by providing lawmakers with a national strategic plan – including recommendations to address workforce issues, supply chain interruptions, other logistical and emerging challenges.

“Wisconsin has a long and proud tradition of making things and we need to make sure we are well positioned to continue our manufacturing legacy into the future,” said Senator Baldwin. “I am excited to introduce this legislation with my Democratic and Republican colleagues to strengthen our Made in America economy, support our second-to-none manufacturing workforce, and strengthen our supply chains to lower costs for working families.”

The Advisory Council would meet at least twice a year and advise the Secretary of Commerce on policies and programs that affect manufacturing, as well as propose solutions to problems relating to manufacturers in the United States. The Advisory Council would be required to:

• IDENTIFY AND ASSESS the impacts of technological developments, production capacity, skill availability, investment patterns, and emerging defense needs on the manufacturing competitiveness of the United States.
• SOLICIT INPUT from the public and private sectors as well as academia on emerging trends in manufacturing.
• PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS to the Secretary regarding global and domestic manufacturing trends threatening the U.S. manufacturing sector, including supply chain interruptions, logistical challenges, and technological changes. The Advisory Council would also advise the Secretary on areas to increase federal attention with respect to manufacturing – as well as matters relating to the U.S. manufacturing workforce such as the impact of burgeoning technology and worker training and education priorities.

Joining Senator Baldwin in reintroducing this legislation were U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Mike Braun (R-IN).

The National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act is supported by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC), American Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM), and Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).

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