Manufacturers Welcome Lipinski-Manzullo Call for Increased Focus on Manufacturing

07/14/10 -  The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) today submitted congressional testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection on the “National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2010” (H.R. 4692), introduced by Representatives Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) and Don Manzullo (R-IL). This bill would establish a Manufacturing Strategy Board and Task Force with a goal of focusing more attention on manufacturing and coordinating government’s efforts to ensure our nation’s competitiveness.

Recently, the NAM unveiled its “Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a Competitive America,” which details manufacturing’s priorities and calls on lawmakers and candidates to think strategically about the policies needed for manufacturers in the United States to compete in the global economy. While the NAM is encouraged by the Congressmen’s efforts to highlight manufacturing as a priority, as our nation and manufacturing struggle to recover from the recession, we believe the four-year period of review this legislation calls for is simply too long. The reviews should be conducted on a yearly basis in order to remain competitive.  

“Manufacturers appreciate the leadership of the Committee and Representatives Lipinski and Manzullo in addressing the future of manufacturing in America,” said NAM President John Engler. “But we need to act now with sound policies. Our nation has lacked a comprehensive strategy to bolster manufacturing and help level the playing field in an ever-competitive global marketplace. Our Manufacturing Strategy provides a blueprint for the policies needed to enable manufacturers to create much-needed jobs and compete globally.”  

Specifically, the NAM Strategy puts forth the following goals:
• The United States will be the best country in the world to headquarter a company. We want companies to be based in the United States.

• The United States will be the best country in the world to innovate, performing the bulk of a company’s global research and development.

• The United States will be a great place to manufacture, both to meet the needs of the American market and serve as an export platform for the world.

“The Strategy calls for comprehensive action on critical policies such as tax, energy, education and regulation,” said Engler. “Our nation’s leadership in manufacturing is under fire, and now is the time for lawmakers and those seeking office to embrace and adopt our Manufacturing Strategy.”    
 
To access the NAM Manufacturing Strategy, please click here.