On February 25, Congressman Dan Lipinski (D-IL) introduced the bipartisan National Manufacturing Strategy Act, H.R. 4692, to help American manufacturers rebound from recent job losses and to ensure they are equipped to thrive in the 21st Century.

Under the legislation, the Administration in consultation with a newly established Manufacturing Strategy Board would conduct an in-depth analysis of the nation’s manufacturing sector and develop a comprehensive strategy for enhancing its competitiveness and promoting its success in the global economy. The Manufacturing Strategy Board would consist of 21 industry leaders and stakeholders from across the country, representing businesses both large and small.

The aim of the strategy, to be issued every four years, is to harmonize manufacturing policy across the government and ensure that it is unified, coherent, forward-looking and results-oriented. It would yield specific goals and recommendations for all levels of government and the private sector. The Government Accountability Office would be tasked with reviewing the strategy development process and analyzing the implementation of recommendations. In addition, the National Academies of Science would be required to conduct periodic in-depth studies on manufacturing and related issues to aid policymakers in their quadrennial review.

When crafting the legislation, Congressman Lipinski’s office sought input from PMA, NTMA and other manufacturing organizations. This is an important step for development of a domestic industrialized policy.