Peters’ Bill Would Establish a National Manufacturing Council to Advise Federal Efforts and Help Strengthen U.S. Leadership in Manufacturing
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WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ (MI) bipartisan legislation to establish a National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the U.S. Department of Commerce. Peters’ National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act – which he reintroduced with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Mike Braun (R-IN) – would establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council as a key component in developing federal manufacturing policy.
The National Manufacturing Advisory Council would be made up of manufacturers, labor representatives, and academic experts. It would serve as a bridge between the manufacturing sector and federal government to improve communication and collaboration, and better support the industry and its workforce. The Advisory Council would then advise the Secretary of Commerce and 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, and other logistical and emerging challenges.
“We must ensure that the United States remains a global powerhouse for advanced manufacturing to continue to drive economic growth and outcompete countries like China,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Peters added: “This bipartisan legislation would bring together and amplify the voices of manufacturers, workers and experts in the industry to help strengthen our federal manufacturing policy. In doing so, we can proactively address rising challenges and better seize opportunities that will propel American manufacturing to new heights in the coming years.”
The Advisory Council would meet at least twice a year to advise the Secretary of Commerce on policies and programs that affect manufacturing and would propose solutions to problems facing manufacturers in the United States. Specifically, 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.
IDENTIFY REGULATORY ISSUES encountered by the domestic manufacturing sector and provide advice to the Secretary on how to mitigate issues by fostering a favorable environment for manufacturers, workers and consumers.
“This initiative, the National Manufacturing Advisory Council Act, is designed to improve the resources and support for our nation’s small and medium-size manufacturers, which are a truly vital driver of our economy,” said Ingrid Tighe, president of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, the Michigan representative of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Tighe added: “I applaud Senator Peters for his steadfast, unwavering commitment to American manufacturing.
