I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2900 
To establish the United States Chief Manufacturing Officer in the Executive 
Office of the President with the responsibility of developing a National 
Manufacturing Strategy to revitalize the manufacturing sector, spur eco-
nomic growth, and expand United States competitiveness, and for other 
purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 22, 2019 
Mr. RYAN (for himself, Mr. REED, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. CARTWRIGHT, Mr. 
SWALWELL of California, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. LIPINSKI, 
Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. STEVENS, Mr. KHANNA, and Mr. 
BALDERSON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To establish the United States Chief Manufacturing Officer 
in the Executive Office of the President with the respon-
sibility of developing a National Manufacturing Strategy 
to revitalize the manufacturing sector, spur economic 
growth, and expand United States competitiveness, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Chief Manufacturing 
Officer Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds the following: 
(1) The manufacturing sector consists of estab-
lishments that are primarily engaged in the trans-
formation of materials, substances, or components 
into products. 
(2) A healthy, innovative manufacturing base 
plays a central role in the United States economy 
and national defense. 
(3) The Federal Government supports manufac-
turing in a variety of ways; support for manufac-
turing-related activities are dispersed across several 
agencies in the executive branch. 
(4) Manufacturing employment, output, and ex-
ports are impacted by a myriad of factors including 
the state of infrastructure and transportation, tax 
policies, environmental and other business regula-
tions, trade policies, innovation ecosystems, work-
force development, and education initiatives. Legisla-
tion and executive actions can have unintended im-
pact on the growth of manufacturing in the United 
States. 
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(5) Manufacturers account for 11 percent of 
the total gross domestic product output in the 
United States, employing 8 percent of the workforce. 
Total output from manufacturing is more than 2 
trillion dollars. There are nearly 13 million manufac-
turing employees in the United States, with an aver-
age annual compensation of about $80,000. 
(6) Given that 99 percent of manufacturing 
firms are small and medium size enterprises with a 
predominantly local employment footprint, workforce 
development programs must be rooted in local cir-
cumstance and requirements. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that a well-designed National Manufacturing Strat-
egy would benefit the United States economy in several 
important ways, including the following: 
(1) A revitalized manufacturing sector would 
enable the United States to increase its economic 
growth from domestic and export production. 
(2) Manufacturing jobs continue to pay higher 
wages and benefits than non-manufacturing jobs. 
Average domestic wages would rise in response to 
growing manufacturing output. 
(3) Manufacturing industries undertake two- 
thirds of private-sector research and development, 
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which fuels the innovation that serves as a primary 
engine of economic growth. A growing manufac-
turing sector would help lay the foundations for fu-
ture economic expansion. 
(4) The United States would expand its long- 
standing leadership in advanced manufacturing tech-
nologies with Federal investments in manufacturing 
research and development, education, and workforce 
training. 
(5) There exists a longstanding connection be-
tween domestic manufacturing, national defense, and 
homeland security. A strong and innovative manu-
facturing industry will maintain the technical superi-
ority of the United States military and secure supply 
chain integrity. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act: 
(1) AGENCY.—The term ‘‘agency’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, 
United States Code. 
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given that term in section 101 of the High-
er Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). 
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(3) NATIONAL
MANUFACTURING
STRATEGY; 
STRATEGY.—The terms ‘‘National Manufacturing 
Strategy’’ and ‘‘Strategy’’ mean the National Manu-
facturing Strategy described in subsection (d). 
(4) SMALL BUSINESS.—The term ‘‘small busi-
ness’’ means a company that has fewer than 500 
employees. 
(5) NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION.—The term 
‘‘nonprofit organization’’ means an organization that 
is described under section 501(c) of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under 
section 501(a) of such Code. 
(6) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means each of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, each 
commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United 
States, and each federally recognized Indian Tribe. 
(7) STATE EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘State educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
that term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES CHIEF MANUFACTURING OFFICER. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
President shall appoint a United States Chief Manu-
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facturing Officer (referred to in this section as the 
‘‘Chief Manufacturing Officer’’). 
(2) QUALIFICATIONS.—The President shall se-
lect the Chief Manufacturing Officer from among in-
dividuals who have basic qualifications and expertise 
in manufacturing technology and policy. 
(3) REPORTING.—The position of Chief Manu-
facturing Officer shall be in the Executive Office of 
the President and shall report to the President 
through the Chief of Staff. 
(4) NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL.—The Chief 
Manufacturing Officer shall be a member of the Na-
tional Economic Council. 
(b) PAY.—The annual rate of pay for the Chief Man-
ufacturing Officer shall be level II of the Executive Sched-
ule rate of pay (subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, 
United States Code) commensurate with the qualifications 
and expertise of the individual appointed to be such Offi-
cer. 
(c) DUTIES.—The duties of the Chief Manufacturing 
Officer are as follows: 
(1) To advise the President on policy issues 
that affect the workforce and economic activity of 
the manufacturing sector including science, tech-
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nology, trade, tariffs, currency, and procurement 
policies. 
(2) To deliver the National Manufacturing 
Strategy. 
(3) To convene interagency working groups to 
align Federal policies to drive implementation of the 
National Manufacturing Strategy, including collabo-
ration among the Departments of Education, Labor, 
Energy, Commerce, and Defense, the Environmental 
Protection Agency, National Science Foundation, 
Small Business Administration, and other agencies. 
(4) To evaluate the effectiveness of existing 
measures designed to improve innovation, produc-
tivity, energy efficiency, economic growth, cybersecu-
rity, and manufacturing industries’ contribution to 
national security. 
(5) To propose studies and policy experiments, 
in cooperation with agencies and the manufacturing 
industry, to determine effective measures to advance 
technological innovation and productivity in manu-
facturing in the United States. 
(6) To propose studies and policy experiments, 
in cooperation with agencies and the manufacturing 
industry, to determine effective measures to improve 
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environmental sustainability within the manufac-
turing industry. 
(7) To connect manufacturing support pro-
grams across the United States to make them more 
efficient, focused, and easier to use. 
(8) To identify opportunities to improve the ef-
ficiency of grant opportunities that affect the manu-
facturing workforce. 
(9) To assess Federal loan programs to ensure 
greater access to capital for small businesses that 
are manufacturers. 
(10) To examine and improve tax incentives for 
manufacturing companies in relation to increasing 
support for investment in— 
(A) workforce training; and 
(B) productivity and systems improve-
ments, including smart supply chain manage-
ment technology and cybersecurity measures. 
(11) To foster the use of best practices for 
manufacturing, information technology, and cyberse-
curity by identifying and encouraging their use 
across all Federal Government programs and 
throughout the procurement process. 
(12) To encourage the creation of joint initia-
tives by State and local governments, regional orga-
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nizations, private companies, institutions of higher 
education, nonprofit organizations, and Federal lab-
oratories to encourage technology transfer, to stimu-
late innovation, and pursue targeted workforce de-
velopment to promote an environment ready for in-
vestments in manufacturing-related industries. 
(13) To participate in discussions among com-
panies that manufacture in the United States on 
topics of interest to the manufacturing industry and 
workforce, including discussions regarding emerging 
and advanced technologies. 
(14) To work with the manufacturing industry 
to identify needs, challenges, and opportunities 
across the manufacturing sector which, if addressed, 
could make a significant contribution to improving 
the ability of manufacturers in the United States to 
compete successfully in international markets. 
(15) To carry out ongoing competitive analysis 
of the manufacturing policies of the governments of 
other countries, alongside their industrial structures 
and labor conditions, to help identify factors that 
successfully support the development of strong man-
ufacturing industries. 
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(16) To analyze legislative and agency pro-
posals to assess and advise on their potential direct 
and indirect impact on the manufacturing industry. 
(17) To work with agencies and the Director of 
the Office of Management and Budget in the devel-
opment of manufacturing-related elements of the 
President’s annual budget request to Congress. 
(18) To identify and share best practice activi-
ties designed to help support struggling manufac-
turing enterprises to review business plans, improve 
competitiveness, and manage issues like succession 
planning to avoid closures and retain jobs. 
(19) To assist States in their economic develop-
ment plans for manufacturing, in their efforts to en-
courage manufacturing enterprises to retain manu-
facturing facilities within the United States, and to 
foster the domestic retention of facilities and jobs. 
(20) To support communities negatively im-
pacted by the closure or relocation of manufacturing 
facilities by promoting efforts to create an environ-
ment and workforce equipped to attract advanced 
manufacturing enterprises. 
(21) To promote and grow the Network for 
Manufacturing 
Innovation 
Program 
established 
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under section 34 of the National Institute of Stand-
ards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s). 
(22) To review the effectiveness of and identify 
shortcomings in existing statutes and policies fo-
cused on promoting the domestic use of federally 
funded research and development in manufacturing 
technology. 
(23) To identify and evaluate changes to exist-
ing statutes and policies and to recommend legisla-
tion and policies to more effectively ensure the do-
mestic use of federally funded research and develop-
ment in manufacturing technology and to recover 
such investments from profits realized as a result of 
offshore manufacturing of systems or components 
utilizing federally funded technologies or their de-
rivatives. 
(24) To work with appropriate agencies, State 
and local governments, regional organizations, insti-
tutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, 
and private companies to stimulate interest in manu-
facturing careers. 
(25) To enhance public perception of manufac-
turing careers, encouraging participation of public 
and private organizations, State educational agen-
cies, and institutions of higher education in the an-
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nual celebration of manufacturing industries on na-
tional Manufacturing Day. 
(26) To coordinate with activities under the 
Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act 
of 2018 (Public Law 115–232) and the Committee 
on Foreign Investment in the United States to en-
sure the protection of sensitive emerging United 
States manufacturing-related technologies. 
(27) To perform such other functions or activi-
ties as the President may assign. 
(d) NATIONAL MANUFACTURING STRATEGY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 1 year after 
the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 
years thereafter, the Chief Manufacturing Officer 
shall submit the National Manufacturing Strategy to 
the President and Congress. The Strategy shall con-
tain a summary of the current state of manufac-
turing in the United States and comprehensive strat-
egies to— 
(A) work across Federal and State govern-
ment agencies to produce a coherent integrated 
strategy and plans; 
(B) identify and address the anticipated 
workforce needs of the manufacturing sector, 
recognizing that this sector includes diverse in-
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dustries competing in different operating envi-
ronments; 
(C) work with industry experts to strength-
en education initiatives, and shape training and 
certificate programs that can be adapted to re-
flect local circumstances; 
(D) create or improve manufacturing 
training programs and appropriate career paths 
into manufacturing jobs, to expand opportuni-
ties for all, and, in particular, the participation 
of veterans, the unemployed, women, and other 
underrepresented groups; 
(E) promote the development of quality 
control and other technical standards; 
(F) maintain reliable physical and tele-
communication infrastructure and identify and 
advocate for future infrastructure requirements; 
(G) 
analyze 
manufacturing 
technology 
needs, monitor technology developments, and 
analyze threats to and opportunities for the 
manufacturing sector; 
(H) recommend appropriate tax incentives 
and financial tools to assist manufacturing en-
terprises to improve their competitiveness; 
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(I) review Federal and State regulations to 
focus on reducing the cost of manufacturing, 
while improving innovation, productivity, and 
environmental sustainability; 
(J) promote the export of United States 
manufactured goods and the enforcement of 
fair trade rules embedded in bilateral and inter-
national agreements, including rules related to 
intellectual property rights and labor protection; 
(K) identify other forms of assistance for 
companies that manufacture in the United 
States, enabling them to compete successfully in 
the international marketplace; and 
(L) address such other issues as the Presi-
dent determines necessary. 
(2) INCORPORATION
OF
OTHER
STRATEGIC 
PLANS.—The Chief Manufacturing Officer shall inte-
grate into the National Manufacturing Strategy de-
scribed in paragraph (1) the following: 
(A) The national strategic plan for ad-
vanced manufacturing developed under section 
102(c) of the America COMPETES Reauthor-
ization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 6622(c)). 
(B) The strategic plan developed for the 
Network for Manufacturing Innovation Pro-
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gram under section 34(f)(2)(C) of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 
U.S.C. 278s(f)(2)(C)). 
(C) The manufacturing elements of the 
National Nanotechnology Initiative Strategic 
Plan under section 2(c)(4) of the 21st Century 
Nanotechnology Research and Development Act 
(15 U.S.C. 7501(c)(4)). 
(e) BI-ANNUAL REPORT.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 
years thereafter, the Chief Manufacturing Officer, in con-
sultation with the Director of the Office of Management 
and Budget, shall submit to the President and Congress 
a report that describes progress made in the implementa-
tion of the National Manufacturing Strategy and in fulfil-
ment of its objectives. 
Æ 
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