[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. VERNON J. EHLERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce ``The 
Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2003.''
  While Congress, the Administration and the American people have 
discussed the many challenges facing our nation's manufacturers, such 
as international trade, China policy, tax policy and health care costs, 
I believe that a fundamental issue has been generally left out of the 
debate--innovation. For decades innovation has underpinned American's 
dominance in the world economy. If our manufacturing sector is to 
remain competitive in the global marketplace, we must foster innovation 
within this sector.
  As Chairman of the House Science Subcommittee on Environment, 
Technology and Standards, I oversee many of the federal government's 
manufacturing-focused research and development programs. I have met 
with manufacturers from around the country and specifically spoken to 
manufacturers both large and small about their problems. They all agree 
that innovation is one of the keys to ensuring our manufacturers remain 
competitive and it is crucial to the development of new industries. 
Funding research and development underpins innovation.
  Based on these discussions and a hearing I held earlier this year, I 
am proud to introduce the Manufacturing Technology and Competitiveness 
Act of 2003. This bill will help our nation's manufacturers maintain 
and improve their technological edge. This legislation will stimulate 
innovation through collaborative research and development, and broaden 
and strengthen the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, 
which provides small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the tools to 
compete better. More importantly, it will bring together a variety of 
partners in the public and private sectors, building relationships that 
encourage and foster technological development and the ability to bring 
these developments to the marketplace.
  Our global competitors are eagerly supporting investments in 
manufacturing research and development because they know it is the key 
to sustained economic development. If we are to continue to be the 
world's technological leader, we need to rise to this new global 
challenge and make the investments envisioned by this legislation.
  More specifically, the bill:

       Ensures that all federal manufacturing programs and related 
     funding are coordinated and focused on solving these 
     important problems. The bill requires a strategic plan and 
     improved budget process to ensure these programs work 
     together efficiently;
       Designates the current Under Secretary for Technology 
     within the Department of Commerce, as the Under Secretary for 
     Manufacturing and Technology, to be the federal government's 
     point person on manufacturing R&D policy, and outlines new 
     duties focused on fostering innovation within the 
     manufacturing sector for this position;
       Establishes a new collaborative research and development 
     program for manufacturing technology to build partnerships 
     among higher education institutions, businesses, states and 
     other partners. This program will provide $184 million over 
     four years;
       Helps to develop future leaders in manufacturing technology 
     through a fellowship program in applied manufacturing 
     research. Fellows will get to work with world-class leaders 
     in technology and engineering at the National Institute of 
     Standards and Technology (KIST). The fellowship program will 
     provide $7.5 million over four years;
       Reauthorizes and reforms the Manufacturing Extension 
     Partnership (MEP) program by increasing competition among the 
     centers. MEP is funded at $120 million for the first year, 
     increasing to $137 million by year four; and,
       Creates a new competitive, peer-reviewed grant program 
     within the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program 
     to develop new tools to help small businesses innovate and 
     compete. Funding for this program will come from the total 
     MEP funding.

  Mr. Speaker, while I am pleased that we are on the road to economic 
recovery, we must still address underlying concerns about the future of 
U.S. manufacturing. This bill will help address some of those concerns 
and put our Nation's manufacturers in a better position to compete 
today and in the future.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, 
and with the manufacturing and research communities, to pass this 
important legislation.

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