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A Strategy to Reinvigorate American Manufacturing
Posted by Randy | May 25, 2011

The manufacturing industry supports an estimated 18.6 million jobs in the United States – about one in six private sector jobs.

With the unemployment rate at 9 percent, it is vital that we reinvigorate this important but fading industry in order to promote growth and competitiveness, create well-paying jobs, and enable innovation and investment.  That is why I am cosponsoring the National Manufacturing Strategy Act, which requires the President to submit a National Manufacturing Strategy to Congress during every presidential term.

Under this bill, the President’s Manufacturing Strategy Board would conduct a comprehensive analysis of the American manufacturing industry and take into consideration relevant reports and recommendations issued by Federal agencies, Federal advisory boards, academics and the private sector.  Based on the analysis, certain strategies and policies would be recommended to strengthen and improve the manufacturing industry.

The analysis would address: 

  • The identification of emerging markets, technologies and products that America’s manufacturing industry could compete in;
  • The value and role of the manufacturing industry in the American economy, security and global leadership;
  • Federal, State, local and Territorial policies, programs and conditions that affect manufacturing;
  • A comparison of other nations’ manufacturing policies and programs;
  • Expected national and international trends that are likely to affect the industry, both short- and long-term, and;
  • The manner in which Federal agencies communicate and share information affecting the competitiveness, growth, stability and sustainability of the manufacturing sector.

What do you think America needs to do to reinvigorate our manufacturing industry and create more jobs?
Comments
Users are solely responsible for the opinions they post here and their comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Congressman Forbes.
  • Thomas Griswold commented on 5/26/2011
    What concerns me is the huge disparity between worker pay and CEO compensation. In the 70's CEO's on average were compensated at 27 percent that of workers. Today that disparity is 267 percent. The American worker no longer feels invested in corporate goals and why would they in such a climate? The facts are in, the Bush tax cuts not only led to unprecedented rise in wealth for those at the top, but it ushered in significant increases in poverty, the exodus to jobs overseas, huge losses in the manufacturing sector and the Bush administration finished with zero net job growth. It took over ten years to force an increase in the minimum age, and yet the assault on collective bargaining has become relentless. The Bush tax cuts need to go as has been suggested by Alan Greenspan and numerous other economic policy experts. The effort to repeal the first real attempt to rein in health care costs and also provide for coverage to 60 million uninsured is also very disturbing. Our congress has been totally asleep on development of an energy policy that will lead to independence and also cut costs. Expanding markets for a resurgence in manufacturing is best achieved when America is at peace and we have a sound foreign policy with good international relationships. Late in the Bush presidency Newsweek published a poll regarding America's reputation throughout the industrialized world. A huge shift in adverse opinion had taken place during the Bush years. It may take a generation to undo this damage. We need to fight corporate initiatives to export the American way of life through the export of jobs that were here, and belong here. We need to close tax loopholes that encourage this and call it what it is, spending cuts, and not tax increases. There is far too much 'tax spending' in the code today. Finally, the vague call for the reduction of regulations affecting business needs to be exposed for the fraud it has become. While there are undoubtedly some regulations that have become obsolete, the vast majority of these guidelines are designed to ensure safety, fairness, efficiency and a quality of life Americans deserve and want. Invest in the American worker and level the playing field with those that have benefited in historic ways that contributed to our enormous national debt, over 12 trillion dollars of it coming at the hands of republican presidents.
  • Richard Reviello commented on 5/27/2011
    Mr. Greswold, made some outstanding points in his post on 5/26 Americans are starting to take notice. These corperate tax breaks and tax cuts do little or nothing, for the average American. Such is the case with the idea that drilling more oil wells off America's coastline, will cut the price of gasoline in the US. Which is also a joke since the oil is sold on the open market and not earmarked for American consumption. Do the research Amaerica, don't take for granted, what our political leaders are telling you is the truth, no matter what party! I sometimes wonder where our politicians loyalty lies, with their political party, lobbyist or the American people.
  • Eric Huntley commented on 6/11/2011
    It is a well known fact that the manufactoring inductsy is what helped make this country great. We cannot let this industry fade out. I commend you on what you are doing sir. http://www.articlecube.com/Article/How-to-Prosper-and-Increase-in-your-Finances/1316590
  • Jon Attebury commented on 7/14/2011
    We most important deficit we need to fix is the trade deficit. Each month we send roughly 50 billion dollars overseas and then borrow it back. America can never survive this. We need to reduce Govt. regulation We need incentives for businesses to manufacture in America. We need to tax overseas profit. Apple has 25,000 jobs in America and 250,000 jobs in China We need to not trade with countries who employ 'slave labor" wages. Even with easing regulation, we can never compete. Great American cities are crumbling before our eyes; the middle class is becoming obsolete. We are watching America transform into a 3rd world country where we have the elite and the poor. ...and this is coming from the perspective of a staunch conservative
  • Bob Ripley commented on 11/15/2013
    I suggest you talk to various small business owners about the legal barriers that they face that make their success more difficult. Then, where appropriate, eliminate those laws. The legal system seems to only add complexity and cost to businesses.
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