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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 121 (Tuesday, September 11, 2012)]
[House]
[Pages H5830-H5835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

           AMERICAN MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2012

  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 5865) to promote the growth and competitiveness of American 
manufacturing, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5865

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``American Manufacturing 
     Competitiveness Act of 2012''.

     SEC. 2. NATIONAL MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS STRATEGY.

       Not later than June 1, 2014, and June 1, 2018, the 
     President shall submit to Congress, and publish on a public 
     website, a strategy to promote growth, sustainability, and 
     competitiveness in the Nation's manufacturing sector, create 
     well-paid, stable jobs, enable innovation and investment, and 
     support national security.

     SEC. 3. MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS BOARD.

       (a) In General.--On the first day of each of the two 
     Presidential terms following the date of enactment of this 
     Act, there is established within the Department of Commerce 
     an American Manufacturing Competitiveness Board.
       (b) Members.--Members of the Board shall be appointed as 
     follows:
       (1) Public sector members.--The President shall appoint to 
     the Board--
       (A) the Secretary of Commerce;
       (B) Governors of two States, from different political 
     parties, after consulting with the National Governors 
     Association; and
       (C) two other members who are current or former officials 
     of the executive branch of government.
       (2) Private sector members.--
       (A) Criteria.--Ten individuals from the private sector 
     shall be appointed to the Board in accordance with 
     subparagraph (B) from among individuals with experience in 
     the areas of--
       (i) managing manufacturing companies, including businesses 
     with fewer than 100 employees;
       (ii) managing supply chain providers;
       (iii) managing labor organizations;
       (iv) workforce development;
       (v) finance;
       (vi) analyzing manufacturing policy and competitiveness;
       (vii) conducting manufacturing-related research and 
     development; and
       (viii) the defense industrial base.
       (B) Appointment.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate shall 
     each appoint 3 members to the Board. The minority leader of 
     the House of Representatives and the minority leader of the 
     Senate shall each appoint 2 members to the Board.
       (c) Termination.--The Board shall terminate 60 days after 
     submitting its final report pursuant to section 4(c)(3).
       (d) Co-chairmen.--The co-chairmen of the Board shall be the 
     Secretary of Commerce (or the designee of the Secretary) and 
     a member elected by the private sector members of the Board 
     appointed pursuant to subsection (b)(2).
       (e) Subgroups.--The Board may convene subgroups to address 
     particular industries, policy topics, or other matters and to 
     take advantage of the expertise of other individuals and 
     entities in matters to be addressed by the Board. Such 
     subgroups may include members representing any of the 
     following:
       (1) Other Federal agencies, as the co-chairmen determine 
     appropriate.
       (2) State, tribal, and local governments.
       (3) The private sector.
       (f) Quorum.--Ten members of the Board shall constitute a 
     quorum for the transaction of business but a lesser number 
     may hold hearings with the agreement of the co-chairmen.
       (g) Meetings and Hearings.--
       (1) Timing and frequency of meetings.--The Board shall meet 
     at the call of the co-chairmen, and not fewer than 2 times.
       (2) Public hearings required.--The Board shall convene 
     public hearings to solicit views on the Nation's 
     manufacturing sector and recommendations for the national 
     manufacturing competitiveness strategy.
       (3) Locations of public hearings.--The locations of public 
     hearings convened under paragraph (2) shall ensure the 
     inclusion of multiple regions and industries of the 
     manufacturing sector.
       (h) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--The 
     Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), other than 
     section 14 of such Act, shall apply to the Board, including 
     any subgroups established pursuant to subsection (e).

     SEC. 4. DUTIES OF THE BOARD.

       (a) In General.--The Board shall--
       (1) advise the President on issues affecting the Nation's 
     manufacturing sector;
       (2) conduct a comprehensive analysis in accordance with 
     subsection (b); and
       (3) develop a national manufacturing competitiveness 
     strategy in accordance with subsection (c).
       (b) Comprehensive Analysis.--In developing a national 
     manufacturing competitiveness strategy under subsection (c), 
     the Board shall conduct a comprehensive analysis of the 
     Nation's manufacturing sector, taking into consideration 
     analyses, data, and other information previously compiled, as 
     well as relevant reports, plans, or recommendations issued by 
     Federal agencies, Federal advisory boards, and the private 
     sector. Such analysis shall, to the extent feasible, 
     address--

[[Page H5831]]

       (1) the value and role of manufacturing in the Nation's 
     economy, security, and global leadership;
       (2) the current domestic and international environment for 
     the Nation's manufacturing sector, and any subsector 
     identified by the Board as warranting special study for 
     competitiveness or for comparison purposes;
       (3) Federal, State, tribal, and local policies, programs, 
     and conditions that affect manufacturing;
       (4) a summary of the manufacturing policies and strategies 
     of the Nation's 10 largest trading partners, to the extent 
     known;
       (5) new, emerging, or evolving markets, technologies, and 
     products for which the Nation's manufacturers could compete;
       (6) the identification of redundant or ineffective 
     government programs related to manufacturing, as well as any 
     programs that have improved manufacturing competitiveness;
       (7) the short- and long-term forecasts for the Nation's 
     manufacturing sector, and forecasts of expected national and 
     international trends and factors likely to affect such sector 
     in the future;
       (8) the manner in which Federal agencies share information 
     and views with respect to the effects of proposed or active 
     regulations or other executive actions on the Nation's 
     manufacturing sector and its workforce;
       (9) the recommendations of the Department of Commerce 
     Manufacturing Council, whether such recommendations have been 
     implemented, and the effect of such recommendations; and
       (10) any other matters affecting the growth, stability, and 
     sustainability of the Nation's manufacturing sector or the 
     competitiveness of the Nation's manufacturing environment, 
     particularly relative to that of other nations, including--
       (A) workforce skills, gaps, and development;
       (B) productivity and the extent to which national economic 
     statistics related to manufacturing accurately measure 
     manufacturing output and productivity growth;
       (C) trade policy and balance;
       (D) energy policy, forecasts, and developments;
       (E) expenditures on basic and applied research related to 
     manufacturing technology;
       (F) programs to help small and mid-sized manufacturers 
     become more competitive;
       (G) the impact of Federal statutes and regulations;
       (H) the impact of domestic and international monetary 
     policy;
       (I) the impact of taxation;
       (J) financing and investment, including challenges 
     associated with commercialization and scaling up of 
     production;
       (K) research and development;
       (L) job creation and employment disparities;
       (M) levels of domestic production;
       (N) adequacy of the industrial base for maintaining 
     national security;
       (O) protections for intellectual property and the related 
     policies, procedures, and law on technology transfer; and
       (P) customs enforcement and counterfeiting.
       (c) National Manufacturing Competitiveness Strategy.--
       (1) Development.--The Board shall develop a national 
     manufacturing competitiveness strategy, based on--
       (A) the results of the comprehensive analysis conducted 
     under subsection (b); and
       (B) any other information, studies, or perspectives that 
     the Board determines to be appropriate.
       (2) Goals and recommendations.--
       (A) Goals.--The Board shall include in the national 
     manufacturing competitiveness strategy short- and long-term 
     goals for improving the competitiveness conditions of the 
     Nation's manufacturing environment, taking into account the 
     matters addressed in the comprehensive analysis conducted 
     under subsection (b).
       (B) Recommendations.--The Board shall include in the 
     national manufacturing competitiveness strategy 
     recommendations for achieving the goals provided under 
     subparagraph (A). Such recommendations may propose--
       (i) actions to improve manufacturing competitiveness to be 
     taken by the President, Congress, State and local 
     governments, and the private sector;
       (ii) actions to improve government policies and 
     coordination among entities developing such policies;
       (iii) the consolidation or elimination of government 
     programs;
       (iv) actions to improve government interaction with the 
     manufacturing sector and communication regarding the effects 
     of proposed or active government regulations or other 
     executive actions on the manufacturing sector and its 
     workforce;
       (v) the reform or elimination of regulations that place the 
     United States manufacturing sector at a disadvantage relative 
     to other nations; and
       (vi) actions to reduce business uncertainty, including, 
     where appropriate, finalization of regulations applicable to 
     manufacturers.
       (3) Report.--
       (A) Draft.--Not later than 150 days before the date on 
     which the President is required to submit to Congress a 
     report containing a national manufacturing competitiveness 
     strategy under section 2, the Board shall publish in the 
     Federal Register and on a public website a draft report 
     containing a national manufacturing competitiveness strategy. 
     At the same time, the Board shall make available to the 
     public the comprehensive analysis required by subsection (b) 
     and any underlying data or materials necessary to an 
     understanding of the conclusions reached.
       (B) Public comment; review and revision.--A draft report 
     published under subparagraph (A) shall remain available for 
     public comment for a period of not less than 30 days from the 
     date of publication. The Board shall review any comments 
     received regarding such draft report and may revise the draft 
     report based upon those comments.
       (C) Publication.--Not later than 60 days before the date on 
     which the President is required to submit to Congress a 
     report containing a national manufacturing competitiveness 
     strategy under section 2, the Board shall submit to the 
     President for review and revision a final report containing a 
     national manufacturing competitiveness strategy, and shall 
     publish such final report on a public website.
       (D) Contents of report.--The final report submitted under 
     subparagraph (C) shall, to the extent feasible, include--
       (i) an estimate of the short- and long-term Federal 
     Government outlays and revenue changes necessary to implement 
     the national manufacturing competitiveness strategy and an 
     estimate of savings that may be derived from implementation 
     of the national manufacturing competitiveness strategy;
       (ii) a detailed explanation of the methods and analysis 
     used to determine the estimates included under clause (i);
       (iii) recommendations regarding how to pay for the cost of 
     implementation estimated under clause (i); and
       (iv) a plan for how the recommendations included in the 
     report will be implemented and who is or should be 
     responsible for the implementation.
       (d) Consultation; Nonduplication of Efforts.--The Board 
     shall consult with and not duplicate the efforts of the 
     Defense Science Board, the President's Council of Advisors on 
     Science and Technology, the Manufacturing Council established 
     by the Department of Commerce, the Economic Security 
     Commission, the Labor Advisory Committee for Trade 
     Negotiations and Trade Policy, and other relevant 
     governmental entities conducting any activities related to 
     manufacturing.

     SEC. 5. REQUIREMENT TO CONSIDER NATIONAL MANUFACTURING 
                   COMPETITIVENESS STRATEGY IN BUDGET.

       In preparing the budget for each of the fiscal years from 
     fiscal year 2016 through fiscal year 2022 under section 
     1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, the President shall 
     include information regarding the consistency of the budget 
     with the goals and recommendations included in the national 
     manufacturing competitiveness strategy.

     SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Board.--The term ``Board'' means--
       (A) during the first Presidential term that begins after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the American Manufacturing 
     Competitiveness Board established by section 3(a) on the 
     first day of such term; and
       (B) during the second Presidential term that begins after 
     the date of enactment of this Act, the American Manufacturing 
     Competitiveness Board established by section 3(a) on the 
     first day of such term.
       (2) Private sector.--The term ``private sector'' includes 
     labor, industry, industry associations, academia, 
     universities, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, 
     and other appropriate nongovernmental groups.
       (3) State.--The term ``State'' means each State of the 
     United States, the District of Columbia, and each 
     commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Mrs. Bono Mack) and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Butterfield) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.

                             General Leave

  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and insert extraneous materials in the Record on H.R. 5865.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5865, the American 
Manufacturing Competitiveness Act.
  Throughout our Nation's long history, a growing and robust 
manufacturing sector has helped to make America great. It's been a 
driving force in our economy since the Industrial Revolution.
  But as our Nation has moved from the atomic age to the space age, the 
information age, manufacturing has not kept up, losing nearly 6 million 
American jobs since the beginning of the

[[Page H5832]]

21st century. Aging, rusting, and abandoned factories litter the U.S. 
landscape.
  Statistics show the manufacturing sector was the hardest hit in terms 
of job losses during the Great Recession. While manufacturing accounts 
for just one-tenth of our Nation's jobs, manufacturing has suffered a 
third of our Nation's job losses.
  We have a chance now to reverse this trend, and I applaud the hard 
work of Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Kinzinger in developing a bipartisan plan 
for improving manufacturing in the U.S.
  I would also like to thank Chairman Upton, Ranking Member Waxman, and 
subcommittee Ranking Member Butterfield for their hard work in bringing 
this important bill to the floor for a vote.
  The American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act calls for two 
Presidential reports to Congress outlining the strategy for promoting 
growth, sustainability, and competitiveness in the manufacturing 
sector. The reports are due in April of 2014 and again in 2018.
  Now, why is this so important? Well, for one thing, manufacturing has 
the highest job multiplier of any industry in our economy, producing 
$1.35 for every $1 in direct spending. Just as importantly, 
manufacturing is responsible for two-thirds of all private R&D spending 
in the U.S., and it drives technology innovation. But on the flip side, 
for every manufacturing job lost in America, another 2.3 jobs are also 
lost throughout our economy.
  Here's the bottom line: If America is going to continue to lead the 
world in innovation, we must foster a more conducive environment for 
manufacturing.
  H.R. 5865 establishes a manufacturing competitiveness board made up 
of 15 members. Five public sector members are appointed by the 
President, and the remaining 10 private sector members are appointed by 
House and Senate leaders. That gives both the executive branch and the 
legislative branch a shared role as well as a shared stake in making 
sure that this process is ultimately successful.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5865 is a sound, bipartisan approach to improving 
manufacturing in America, and I strongly urge its passage.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5865, the American 
Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2012.
  The lead bipartisan cosponsors of this bill are two gentlemen from 
Illinois, Congressman Daniel Lipinski and my colleague on the Energy 
and Commerce Committee, Congressman Adam Kinzinger. I want to thank 
both of them for their work on this bill and, in particular, for 
working with me and Chairwoman Bono Mack to move this bill in a form 
that both sides can support.
  H.R. 5865 aims to build upon the recent growth of the U.S. 
manufacturing sector with the end goal being the return of more and 
more individuals to stable and good-paying jobs.
  Specifically, Mr. Speaker, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness 
Act requires the President to prepare and submit to Congress in 2014 
and 2018 a national manufacturing strategy with assistance from the 
American Manufacturing Competitiveness Board established by the bill.
  The board will be comprised of the Secretary of Commerce, State 
Governors, and officials from the executive branch, in addition to 10 
individuals from the private sector appointed by the majority and 
minority leadership of the House and the Senate.
  There is no more important issue to Americans than the ability to get 
and keep a job, provide for their families, and ensure that when their 
children grow up they too can succeed. This is the promise of the 
American Dream, and it's a promise that, despite the slow climb out of 
the deep recession caused by the reckless bets in Wall Street, that I 
and most Americans still believe in. Moreover, it's a promise that we 
here in Congress have been entrusted by our constituents to work 
towards by promoting initiatives and enacting policies that will lead 
to the creation of new jobs to replace and supplement those that have 
been lost.
  This is something that the Obama administration has taken very 
seriously, and the administration has rightfully made growing the 
manufacturing sector a key element to getting Americans back to work. 
This has also been a priority of the House Democratic leadership 
through its Make It In America policy initiatives.
  And we are seeing results, Mr. Speaker, we are seeing results. Over 
the past 2 years, the manufacturing sector has added more than 450,000 
jobs.

                              {time}  1730

  That is worth repeating. Over the past 2 years, the manufacturing 
sector has added more than 450,000 jobs. Not since the Clinton 
administration has this sector seen such fast growth.
  In my own State of North Carolina, we know all too well about the 
loss of manufacturing jobs, but those jobs have begun to return. And we 
are feeling it and we are seeing it. North Carolina is the fifth 
largest manufacturing State in the country and the largest in the 
Southeast. Our manufacturing sector provides about $80 billion to our 
GDP--roughly 20 percent of the total. The nearly 11,000 manufacturing 
companies in North Carolina employ almost 15 percent of the total 
workforce, and well over half a million of these jobs pay more than 
$65,000 annually.
  American manufacturing is primed for a renaissance. The House 
Democrats' Make It in America agenda provides even greater 
opportunities for success. Several of these initiatives have already 
become law, including bills that cut taxes and create loans for small 
businesses, speed up the patent process, and lower the cost of raw 
materials and help to end tax loopholes so that companies are 
discouraged from shipping jobs overseas.
  Mr. Speaker, in the 111th Congress, House Democrats led efforts to 
support American clean-energy firms, invest in job-training 
partnerships, and hold China accountable for unfair currency 
manipulation that cost us in America very precious jobs. When more 
products are made in America, more families can make it in America. The 
American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act promises to build on and 
complement the Obama administration's efforts and our efforts to grow 
manufacturing in the United States of America.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this bill. I thank my colleagues on the other 
side of the aisle for their cooperation with bringing this to the floor 
and getting it for a vote today. I thank not only the chair and the 
ranking member of the full committee, but the chair of our 
subcommittee, who works with us on so many of these important issues.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the coauthor of the 
legislation, a very hardworking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, 
Manufacturing, and Trade, the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger).
  Mr. KINZINGER of Illinois. I would like to thank Chairman Bono Mack 
for the time and her work in getting this bill to the floor.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the American Manufacturing 
Competitiveness Act. It's an honor to stand here with my colleague from 
Illinois (Mr. Lipinski) in support of this forward-thinking, bipartisan 
legislation, especially at a time when Americans feel like Republicans 
and Democrats are unable to work together.
  Mr. Speaker, the world is becoming more competitive, as evidenced by 
the recent report from the World Economic Forum announcing that the 
U.S. has fallen from first to seventh in global competitiveness. And I 
tell you what actually really gets to me is the fact that I feel like 
many Americans are starting to accept the fact that we are just going 
to lose our competitive edge and we're going to lose our manufacturing 
power base to a country like China. And I don't think that's something 
that we have to accept.
  We've heard from the manufacturing base in this country. They need a 
simpler Tax Code. They need an education system that prepares students 
in math and science, trade policies that are open and fair, and 
regulations that protect the health and welfare of our citizens with 
the lowest cost on business. The purpose of this legislation is to 
build on the consensus and ensure government policies promote a 
competitive environment for manufacturers in the decades to come.

[[Page H5833]]

  Mr. Speaker, we are the biggest economy in the world because of our 
manufacturing resources. We produce 21 percent of global manufactured 
goods, with an estimated 18.6 million jobs. Manufacturing jobs are some 
of the highest paying in our economy, with the average job making 
upwards of $77,000 annually. With the right policies in place, we can 
usher in a manufacturing renaissance in this legislation, and this 
legislation will help ensure our global competitiveness for decades to 
come.
  Mr. Speaker, in Illinois alone, over 600,000 people are employed in 
manufacturing. This is an industry that's vital to the health of our 
economy and our national security. This Nation is blessed to have some 
of the hardest working and most innovative people in the world. When I 
go home to Illinois and I speak directly to a small or large 
manufacturer, they're ready to compete on the global stage, and they're 
ready to compete with China. They only need government to ensure that 
they are playing on a level playing field. That means fair trade, a 
simple tax policy, educated students, and the least burdensome 
regulations possible.
  This legislation will bring together private sector and government 
leaders to create a manufacturing strategy that both Congress and the 
President can implement. It's time to get politics out of supporting 
the middle class. The American people are tired of stalemates. They're 
ready for action. They're ready for both parties to focus their energy 
on the people who elected them. Now is the time to act before this 
window of opportunity for a manufacturing renaissance passes us by. I'm 
proud of this legislation. I think it's a strong first step in finding 
solutions to help our Nation's economy. And I urge my colleagues to 
support this legislation.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), who is also the minority whip of 
the House Democratic Caucus and is a great friend of the manufacturing 
sector.
  Mr. HOYER. I thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to 
congratulate Dan Lipinski for authoring this legislation. It is one of 
the key pieces of our Make It in America agenda, which my distinguished 
friend from North Carolina has discussed. I also want to thank my dear 
and good friend, Mary Bono Mack, for her leadership on this effort.
  As the gentleman said, and I can adopt the remarks of the previous 
speaker, Mr. Kinzinger, we do need a manufacturing policy. We do need a 
manufacturing renaissance. And we do need a psychology that America is 
going to be number one and stay number one and create the kind of good-
paying jobs for our people that manufacturing provides.
  Andrew Liveris, who's the chief CEO of Dow Chemical, wrote a book. 
The name of that book is ``Make It in America.'' Manufacture it in 
America. Grow it in America. Sell it here and sell it around the world.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Mr. Lipinski's bill, the American 
Manufacturing Competitiveness Act. This passed out of committee 
unanimously 4 months ago. This bill is a key part of House Democrats' 
Make It in America plan to strengthen American manufacturing. But it's 
not a Democratic plan. It's not a Republican plan. It's an American 
plan. All of us can resoundingly support this and take ownership of a 
renaissance in manufacturing.
  For the past 2 years, our manufacturing sector was a bright spot in 
our economic recovery, seeing the first increase in manufacturing jobs 
since the nineties. But for the last 3 months that sector has begun to 
contract a little bit, a symptom of Congress' failure, in my opinion, 
to take serious action on legislation like Make It in America. And, 
yes, taxes and regulations. The gentleman was correct. That's why we 
need the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act. This bill will 
bring the public and private sectors together with labor and other 
stakeholders to craft plans to develop comprehensive national 
manufacturing strategies in 2014 and 2018.
  Ladies and gentlemen, none of you doubt that our competitors across 
this globe are doing this. We are late to this ball game. But the good 
news is we are the most able, productive economy in the world, and we 
can compete with anybody. All we need is a good plan. Other nations 
around the globe have strategies to increase the manufacturing to keep 
America competitive. It is imperative that we have a plan as well. Not 
to pick winners and losers, but to create the environment of which the 
gentleman spoke just before me about an environment that allows 
manufacturing to grow.
  I want to thank, again, the ranking member for his very compelling 
statement that he made. The Obama administration focused on 
revitalizing the manufacturing sector, and Representative Lipinski's 
bill ensures that the U.S. Government will continue to pursue policies 
that bolster manufacturing and add jobs. I want to commend 
Representative Lipinski for his leadership on this issue, as well as 
Ranking Member Waxman, Ranking Member Butterfield, whom I've already 
referenced, and other Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

                              {time}  1740

  But I also want to commend those Republican leaders on the Commerce 
Committee, and Mr. Manzullo, who is sitting here, my dear friend, who 
heads up the Small Business Committee, is focused on growing jobs in 
America. I also want to thank Chairman Upton and I have already thanked 
Chairman Bono Mack, but she is my good friend so I'll thank her again, 
for their work to make sure this bill came to the floor with bipartisan 
support.
  Mr. Speaker, the Energy and Commerce Committee reported this bill in 
June with a bipartisan vote. I am sure it will receive a bipartisan 
vote tonight.
  I will tell you there is no place in America you can go--not the most 
conservative district, not the most liberal district, not the most 
Republican district or the most Democratic district. And you could talk 
about make it in America, and you'll get heads nodding in agreement.
  This is not an issue of philosophy. It's a pragmatic issue of growing 
our economy, creating the kinds of jobs that our people need, jobs that 
pay well, give them good benefits, and a bright future for them, their 
families, and their children.
  So I commend both the Republican and Democratic side for bringing 
this piece of legislation to the floor and urge its unanimous adoption 
by this Congress.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Manzullo).
  Mr. MANZULLO. Mr. Speaker, as the co-founder and co-chair of the 
House Manufacturing Caucus, I cannot overstate the importance of 
manufacturing in America and the need for this important legislation.
  The U.S. is still the largest manufacturer in the world, churning out 
about $1.7 trillion in value annually, and one in six jobs is tied 
directly or indirectly to manufacturing.
  Manufacturing drives innovation by conducting two-thirds of all 
research and development and creating the bulk of technology in our 
Nation and nearly 70 percent of all exported goods from the United 
States in 2011 originated from the manufacturing sector.
  In the U.S., every one dollar in final sales in manufacturing goods 
supports $1.35 in output from other sectors of the economy. That 
multiplier effect is higher than any other economic sector. Many other 
jobs, such as those in financial services, depend on somebody else 
making a product. If no one makes anything in America anymore, than 
those service sector jobs disappear also.
  I spend about two-thirds of my time in Congress studying and working 
on manufacturing issues, from raw materials and minerals all the way 
through export controls. In fact, earlier today, I co-hosted a 
bipartisan briefing with administrative officials on its export control 
reform initiative.
  I have been in over 500 factories all over the world in China, Japan, 
Europe, and the United States. I've studied manufacturing schooling and 
the educational process in Switzerland and how important manufacturing 
is to that tiny country.
  Every few years the manufacturing sector in the United States 
experiences a crisis. In response, various administrations have 
prepared strategy reports on how to best respond. The last report

[[Page H5834]]

was issued in 2004. This report was extremely helpful in identifying 
and reforming regulations that were unduly burdensome on the 
manufacturing sector that produced little or no public benefit.
  The bill before us today will institutionalize this process by 
requiring a national manufacturing report so that we can keep the focus 
of our government on how to best help the strongest economic engine of 
our economy.
  My office spent years developing a chart to identify the numerous 
Federal programs and agencies that support manufacturing. It is still 
difficult to have a central focal point to know who is manufacturing 
and who is doing research in a particular area. For example, if 
somebody wants to do research on machining titanium, there is no 
central portal through which that person can go to determine exactly 
what programs there are and who is doing the research. Fundamentally, 
it's very important to have this report. Why? Because Americans need to 
know the importance of manufacturing.
  If we don't have manufacturing, agriculture, and mining in this 
country, we become a Third World nation. If we can't make things with 
our hands, then we become hindered in maintaining our status as a world 
leader.
  I would call upon the House to vote affirmatively for this great 
bill, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2012, H.R. 
5865.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, at this time I yield 6 minutes to the 
author of this bill, Mr. Lipinski from the great State of Illinois, who 
has worked very hard on this bill not only in this Congress but in the 
previous bill as well.
  Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Ranking Member Butterfield, for yielding and 
for your support on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5865, the 
American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, a bipartisan bill that I 
introduced to boost American manufacturing.
  This bill represents what the American people want us to be doing, 
working together in a bipartisan manner to advance policies that 
promote the creation of good-paying jobs for middle class Americans.
  I want to thank Representative Kinzinger for being willing to work 
with me across the aisle to bring this bill to the floor. I also want 
to thank Chairwoman Bono Mack as well as Representative Pompeo for 
their work on this bill. Mr. Manzullo was just on the floor. I want to 
thank him for the work he's done to advance manufacturing, the work 
we've done together in the 8 years that I've been in the Congress with 
him.
  In addition, I want to thank Democratic Whip Hoyer for his steadfast 
advocacy of Make It in America policies.
  Manufacturing is a linchpin of our Nation's economy. It provides the 
American middle class with a source of quality jobs making everything 
from the goods we rely on for everyday needs, to the equipment that we 
need for national security.
  But in the first decade of the century, American manufacturing took a 
hard hit. Almost one-third of American manufacturing jobs disappeared. 
After 110 years as the world's top manufacturing Nation, America got 
knocked off its perch by China.
  I have seen the devastation in my district and across northeastern 
Illinois. And I get frustrated, just like countless other Americans do, 
when I go to the store and I cannot find the words ``made in the 
U.S.A.'' on any product.
  Some say this is inevitable but it does not have to be. While we have 
been seeing signs of a resurgent American manufacturing sector, with 
jobs increasing by nearly half a million in the past few years, we 
still have a long way to go.
  America relies on the entrepreneurial spirit of private enterprise. 
There is no doubt there would be no American manufacturing base without 
the innovators and the risk takers. The great growth in American 
manufacturing in the 20th century would have been impossible without 
the hard work of the middle class.
  But it is also clear that the government interacts with and affects 
manufacturing in countless ways. From tax and trade, to regulation, to 
research, education, and workforce development, government policies 
have a significant effect on our manufacturers.
  That is why we need a comprehensive, coordinated strategy promoting 
American manufacturing. While many other countries--China, India, 
Germany, to name a few--have developed manufacturing strategies, the 
United States manufacturing policy is uncoordinated and largely ad hoc. 
If we want American manufacturing to compete and succeed in a global 
economy, it is vital that we develop a strategy to coordinate our 
policies that impact manufacturers. And that is exactly what this bill 
does.
  Based on the Quadrennial Defense Review, the Pentagon's policy 
planning process, this bill proposes that every 4 years we convene a 
group of manufacturing experts from the private and the public sectors. 
This group, assembled from appointments made by congressional leaders 
and the President, will analyze domestic and global economics and 
propose recommendations to Congress, the President, States, and 
industry, to pursue to make all the types of American manufacturing 
more competitive.
  At the end of the day, this bill is about setting aside politics and 
implementing policies that will create an environment conducive to the 
flourishing of American manufacturing, which is vital for middle class 
American jobs and is vital for our national security.

                              {time}  1750

  If we continue to muddle through without a coordinated plan, 
government will still be impacting manufacturing, but in an 
uncoordinated, often inefficient, and sometimes wasteful manner.
  After a couple of tough decades, I still have a number of small and 
medium-size manufacturers in my district in northeastern Illinois. One 
of these is Atlas Tool & Die of Lyons, Illinois, a 94-year-old family-
owned business. The director of development for the company, Zach 
Mottl, said this about H.R. 5865:
  As a business owner, I know planning is critical. When an 
organization doesn't operate with a plan, what occurs is a plan to 
fail. Right now, the United States is operating without a manufacturing 
strategy in a world where other countries are intensely focused on 
helping their manufacturers to compete. The American Manufacturing 
Competitiveness Act will bring all sides and stakeholders together to 
forge a strategy with broad support and the momentum needed to produce 
action.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to come together today and help 
start forging this strategy by passing H.R. 5865, and we can all look 
forward to proudly seeing the ``Made in the USA'' label on more shelves 
and in more showrooms.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. I reserve the balance of my time at this point. I 
have no further speakers.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. I have no additional speakers, Mr. Speaker; 
therefore, I will ask my colleagues to join with us in passing this 
good legislation.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BONO MACK. Mr. Speaker, I just want to begin by thanking Mr. 
Lipinski for crossing the center aisle and coming to our side to offer 
his legislation and to work with us early on in the year, to stress to 
us how important it was for him. And I thank him for his willingness to 
work with us to make sure we could move this bill.
  In closing, I just want to make one very important point, that this 
is not a top-down, government-knows-best approach to the problems 
facing manufacturing today. Instead, we're creating a public-private 
partnership that will help to develop a comprehensive, modern 
strategy--identifying impediments to manufacturing and providing much 
needed recommendations on how to create an environment that will once 
again allow American manufacturers to thrive.
  While our goal is to produce an important economic blueprint for the 
future of America, these recommendations are not binding on Congress. 
H.R. 5865 will expand upon previous studies and reports on 
manufacturing by requiring a comprehensive analysis of factors 
affecting manufacturing. Those would include: the identification of 
redundant or ineffective government programs related to manufacturing; 
trade policy; energy policy; taxation; and the

[[Page H5835]]

impact of Federal regulations on manufacturing and job creation.
  This legislation appropriately gives the Manufacturing Board the 
flexibility it needs to do its job efficiently and expeditiously. The 
Board is not required to reinvent the wheel and restudy every single 
subject already examined by other government agencies and 
nongovernmental bodies, but the Board is specifically directed to 
consult with other Federal entities to avoid duplication of efforts. In 
the end, the Board will develop and publish for public comment a draft 
manufacturing strategy based on its analysis and any other information 
the Board determines is appropriate. This strategy will include both 
short-term and long-term goals for improving competitiveness of U.S. 
manufacturing, as well as recommendations for action.
  Mr. Speaker, considering the importance of manufacturing in the 
American economy and to the future of our Nation, I strongly urge the 
adoption of H.R. 5865, the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Long). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Bono Mack) that the 
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5865, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this question will be postponed.

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