Portman Applauds Senate Passage of Provision to Strengthen America's Manufacturing Industry and Workforce, Improve Economic Competitiveness

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Chris Coons (D-DE applauded passage of their provision to establish an Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy (OMII) overseen by a Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO) in the Executive Office of the President. This new office will help strengthen America's manufacturing industry and workforce and improve global competitiveness following the coronavirus pandemic. The provision was included in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, which just passed the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support.

This bipartisan legislation will also develop a long-term plan to ensure the growth and national security of the U.S. manufacturing industry and workforce and coordinate efforts to support manufacturing across the federal government, improve workforce development and job creation, and enhance research and development.

"A strong manufacturing sector is critical to maintaining American competitiveness, to our national security, and to a robust economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis," said Portman. "The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation will work to coordinate existing federal programs and resources for manufacturers, while providing the President with analysis and perspective. Much like the National Security Advisor, the Chief Manufacturing Officer will create a strategic plan to ensure our nation's manufacturing and industrial sector remains world-class."

"A strong manufacturing industry is key to our economic prosperity and reviving the U.S. economy after this pandemic. My legislation to create a presidential office of manufacturing and industrial innovation passed the Senate with bipartisan support, putting us a step closer to strengthening our manufacturing sector so we can stay competitive globally," said Klobuchar.

"Manufacturing innovation is the foundation of U.S. economic leadership and competitiveness. By passing this important legislation to establish an Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation, we will ensure that America continues to lead in the next generation of technology-enabled manufacturing, build a more resilient manufacturing sector, and help support millions of American jobs," said Coons.

"Manufacturing is vital to Mississippi's economy. Our bill would make increasing domestic manufacturing capability a national priority and identify better ways to harmonize and coordinate the federal permitting process," said Wicker.

The provision will:

Create the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy led by the CMO, who advises the President. The OMII will provide a comprehensive study across administration management of efforts to ensure America's global leadership in manufacturing critical to the long-term health and national security of the U.S., including developing a National Strategic Plan, quadrennially, with short and long-term goals.
Establish the Federal Strategy and Coordinating Council on Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation, chaired by the President, to coordinate manufacturing and industrial innovation policy. The Council will convene the heads of various executive agencies--including Secretaries of Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Defense, and Energy--to establish national priorities and coordinated strategies for manufacturing and industrial innovation policy and investment.
Create a National Medal of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation to recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge in manufacturing and industrial innovation.