Bipartisan Effort Passes Manufacturing Bill out of Science Committee

Press Release

Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a markup of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act.

H.R. 2996 would direct the Secretary of Commerce to support the establishment of institutes across the country dedicated to improving U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing, increasing domestic production and accelerating the development of an advanced manufacturing workforce. Each institute will be a public-private partnership between industry, academia, and other relevant entities. They will be required to focus on a specific and unique manufacturing process, technology, or methodology.

"Across the country, innovation industries are transforming the American economy and giving our once-fading manufacturing industry new legs in industries like advanced manufacturing, life sciences, information technology and defense," said Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA). "Today's bipartisan passage of RAMI by the House Science Committee is another step towards the kind of domestic manufacturing policy our country needs to create good jobs and stay on the cutting edge of a global economy. I am grateful for Representative Reed's continued partnership on this bill and for the leadership of Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson. I look forward to working together to get this bill to the House Floor."

Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) said, "Our key competitors are focusing their full attention on their own manufacturing capacity. They are implementing the policies and programs necessary to build 21st century economies now. We too must take appropriate steps to ensure that American companies maintain their capacity to be the most sophisticated in the world, using transformative technologies and manufacturing processes. I believe RAMI is one of the most constructive and significant pieces of legislation considered by this Committee all Congress. It is also a great example of how we can work together and compromise for the greater good when we put our minds to it."

A number of amendments were considered en bloc including Democratic amendments that would clarify that a primary purpose of the legislation is to help preserve and create manufacturing jobs in the United States; ensure that institutes address education and training for veterans and persons with disabilities; and expand outreach to women and minority owned manufacturing enterprises. The amendments considered en bloc passed by voice vote.

The Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute considered also included the National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing and a reauthorization of the Regional Innovation Program

The National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing is an updated version of Ranking Member of the Research & Technology Subcommittee, Dan Lipinski's (D-IL) bill, H.R. 2447, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act. It directs the National Science and Technology Council, in consultation with business, labor and academia, to develop a national advanced manufacturing competitiveness strategy that will attract manufacturing businesses to our shores, help them compete overseas, enable innovation, and encourage them to expand and create well-paying jobs here in the U.S.

Mr. Lipinski said, "This provision would bring the public and private sectors together to develop a set of policy recommendations to revitalize this important sector of the economy. As one of the principals of a small family-owned manufacturing business told this committee when testifying about the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, "This bill will help develop a plan for success."'

The Regional Innovation Program was originally established in the America Competes Act of 2010. This Congress, Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) introduced H.R. 3918, the Regional Innovation and Entrepreneurship Enhancement Act, a bill to reauthorize the Regional Innovation Program. The Regional Innovation Program provides support to innovative initiatives that accelerate technology commercialization, job creation, and economic growth in the United States.

"As someone who spent ten years in economic development, I know that jobs aren't created in large marble buildings in Washington D.C.," said Mr. Kilmer. "They are created in local communities when people working together -- whether at a local college, an industrial park, or in someone's garage -- hit upon an idea that will create economic opportunity. The Regional Innovation Program is making that happen by supporting collaborations between scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders that can lead to advanced manufacturing and technology hubs in regions where opportunities are desperately needed."

H.R. 2996, H.R. 2447, and H.R. 3918 are all part of the House Democrats' "Make It In America" agenda, a plan to support job creation today and in the future by encouraging businesses to make products and innovate in the U.S. and sell to the rest of the world.

Mr. Kennedy introduced letters into the record from the National Association of Manufacturers, Precision and Machined Products Association, and One Voice which represents the National Tooling and Machining Association and the Precision Metalforming Association.