Cochran Seeks New Info on White House Manufacturing Plan

Statement

U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today reported that he has asked the President to provide Congress with greater details about his administration's initiative to strengthen the manufacturing sector in the United States.

Cochran was among 11 Senators who this week sent a letter to the President seeking more information about his plan, titled "A Framework for Revitalizing American Manufacturing." In the correspondence, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of American manufacturing.

"Manufacturing in Mississippi has been hit by the current economic recession. The nation needs a more coordinated plan for maintaining and expanding the manufacturing capabilities that make this nation strong. Such a plan should also entail a close look at the rules and regulations that sometimes put our manufacturing sector at a disadvantage," Cochran said.

Unveiled in December, the administration's framework proposes multiple steps that could be taken to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector, including workforce training, tax credits, and other initiatives.

"Today, nothing is more imperative than putting Americans back to work. We believe it will take a coordinated effort to assist America's entrepreneurs, innovators, and workers by advancing policies that enhance U.S. manufacturing, increase U.S. competitiveness and export opportunities, and protect the quality of life for all Americans," the Senators wrote.

"Without an adequate commitment of resources and coordination among every executive branch department, we are afraid that the tenets of this framework may not be appropriately fulfilled. We would therefore respectfully request additional information about how the Administration is putting these strategies to work, including specific goals, detailed initiatives supporting those goals, and performance measures to help ensure continuous progress," the letter states.

In addition to Cochran, the letter was signed by Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

Source