[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H7515-H7524]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
REVITALIZE AMERICAN MANUFACTURING AND INNOVATION ACT OF 2014
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 2996) to require the Secretary of Commerce to establish the
Network for Manufacturing Innovation and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 2996
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 ``Revitalize American
Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) In 2012, manufacturers contributed $2.03 trillion to
the economy, or \1/8\ of United States Gross Domestic
Product.
(2) For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.32
is added to the economy, the highest multiplier effect of any
economic sector.
(3) Manufacturing supports an estimated 17,400,000 jobs in
the United States--about 1 in 6 private-sector jobs. More
than 12,000,000 Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are
employed directly in manufacturing.
(4) In 2012, the average manufacturing worker in the United
States earned $77,505 annually, including pay and benefits.
The average worker in all industries earned $62,063.
(5) Taken alone, manufacturing in the United States would
be the 8th largest economy in the world.
(6) Manufacturers in the United States perform two-thirds
of all private-sector research and development in the United
States, driving more innovation than any other sector.
SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING
INNOVATION.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 271 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 34 as section 35; and
(2) by inserting after section 33 (15 U.S.C. 278r) the
following:
``SEC. 34. NETWORK FOR MANUFACTURING INNOVATION.
``(a) Establishment of Network for Manufacturing Innovation
Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish within the
Institute a program to be known as the `Network for
Manufacturing Innovation Program' (referred to in this
section as the `Program').
``(2) Purposes of program.--The purposes of the Program
are--
``(A) to improve the competitiveness of United States
manufacturing and to increase the production of goods
manufactured predominantly within the United States;
``(B) to stimulate United States leadership in advanced
manufacturing research, innovation, and technology;
``(C) to facilitate the transition of innovative
technologies into scalable, cost-effective, and high-
performing manufacturing capabilities;
``(D) to facilitate access by manufacturing enterprises to
capital-intensive infrastructure, including high-performance
electronics and computing, and the supply chains that enable
these technologies;
``(E) to accelerate the development of an advanced
manufacturing workforce;
``(F) to facilitate peer exchange of and the documentation
of best practices in addressing advanced manufacturing
challenges;
``(G) to leverage non-Federal sources of support to promote
a stable and sustainable business model without the need for
long-term Federal funding; and
``(H) to create and preserve jobs.
``(3) Support.--The Secretary, acting through the Director,
shall carry out the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) by
supporting--
``(A) the Network for Manufacturing Innovation established
under subsection (b); and
``(B) the establishment of centers for manufacturing
innovation.
``(4) Director.--The Secretary shall carry out the Program
through the Director.
``(b) Establishment of Network for Manufacturing
Innovation.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the Program, the Secretary
shall establish a network of centers for manufacturing
innovation.
``(2) Designation.--The network established under paragraph
(1) shall be known as the `Network for Manufacturing
Innovation' (referred to in this section as the `Network').
``(c) Centers for Manufacturing Innovation.--
``(1) In general.--For purposes of this section, a `center
for manufacturing innovation' is a center that--
``(A) has been established by a person or group of persons
to address challenges in advanced manufacturing and to assist
manufacturers in retaining or expanding industrial production
and jobs in the United States;
``(B) has a predominant focus on a manufacturing process,
novel material, enabling technology, supply chain integration
methodology, or another relevant aspect of advanced
manufacturing, such as nanotechnology applications, advanced
ceramics, photonics and optics, composites, biobased and
advanced materials, flexible hybrid technologies, and tool
development for microelectronics;
``(C) as determined by the Secretary, has the potential--
``(i) to improve the competitiveness of United States
manufacturing, including key advanced manufacturing
technologies such as nanotechnology, advanced ceramics,
photonics and optics, composites, biobased and advanced
materials, flexible hybrid technologies, and tool development
for microelectronics;
``(ii) to accelerate non-Federal investment in advanced
manufacturing production capacity in the United States; or
``(iii) to enable the commercial application of new
technologies or industry-wide manufacturing processes; and
``(D) includes active participation among representatives
from multiple industrial entities, research universities,
community colleges, and such other entities as the Secretary
considers appropriate, which may include industry-led
consortia, career and technical education schools, Federal
laboratories, State, local, and tribal governments,
businesses, educational institutions, and nonprofit
organizations.
``(2) Activities.--Activities of a center for manufacturing
innovation may include the following:
``(A) Research, development, and demonstration projects,
including proof-of-concept development and prototyping, to
reduce the cost, time, and risk of commercializing new
technologies and improvements in existing technologies,
processes, products, and research and development of
materials to solve precompetitive industrial problems with
economic or national security implications.
``(B) Development and implementation of education,
training, and workforce recruitment courses, materials, and
programs.
``(C) Development of innovative methodologies and practices
for supply chain integration and introduction of new
technologies into supply chains.
``(D) Outreach and engagement with small and medium-sized
manufacturing enterprises, including women and minority owned
manufacturing enterprises, in addition to large manufacturing
enterprises.
``(E) Such other activities as the Secretary, in
consultation with Federal departments and agencies whose
missions contribute to or are affected by advanced
manufacturing, considers consistent with the purposes
described in subsection (a)(2).
``(3) Additional centers for manufacturing innovation.--
``(A) In general.--The National Additive Manufacturing
Innovation Institute and other manufacturing centers formally
recognized as manufacturing innovation centers pursuant to
Federal law or executive actions, or under pending
interagency review for such recognition as of the date of
enactment of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and
Innovation Act of 2014, shall be considered centers for
manufacturing innovation, but such centers shall not receive
any financial assistance under subsection (d).
``(B) Network participation.--A manufacturing center that
is substantially similar to those established under this
subsection but that does not receive financial assistance
under subsection (d) may, upon request of the center, be
recognized as a center for manufacturing innovation by the
Secretary for purposes of participation in the Network.
[[Page H7516]]
``(d) Financial Assistance to Establish and Support Centers
for Manufacturing Innovation.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the Program, the
Secretary shall award financial assistance to a person or
group of persons to assist the organization in planning,
establishing, or supporting a center for manufacturing
innovation.
``(2) Application.--A person or group of persons seeking
financial assistance under paragraph (1) shall submit to the
Secretary an application therefor at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require. The application shall, at a minimum, describe the
specific sources and amounts of non-Federal financial support
for the center on the date financial assistance is sought, as
well as the anticipated sources and amounts of non-Federal
financial support during the period for which the center
could be eligible for continued Federal financial assistance
under this section.
``(3) Open process.--In soliciting applications for
financial assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall
ensure an open process that will allow for the consideration
of all applications relevant to advanced manufacturing
regardless of technology area.
``(4) Selection.--
``(A) Competitive, merit review.--In awarding financial
assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall use a
competitive, merit review process that includes peer review
by a diverse group of individuals with relevant expertise
from both the private and public sectors.
``(B) Participation in process.--
``(i) In general.--No political appointee may participate
on a peer review panel. The Secretary shall implement a
conflict of interest policy that ensures public transparency
and accountability, and requires full disclosure of any real
or potential conflicts of interest on the parts of
individuals that participate in the merit selection process.
``(ii) Definition.--For purposes of this subparagraph, the
term `political appointee' means any individual who--
``(I) is employed in a position described under sections
5312 through 5316 of title 5, United States Code, (relating
to the Executive Schedule);
``(II) is a limited term appointee, limited emergency
appointee, or noncareer appointee in the Senior Executive
Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), and (7),
respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 5, United States
Code; or
``(III) is employed in a position in the executive branch
of the Government of a confidential or policy-determining
character under schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title
5 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
``(C) Performance measurement, transparency, and
accountability.--For each award of financial assistance under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
``(i) make publicly available at the time of the award a
description of the bases for the award, including an
explanation of the relative merits of the winning applicant
as compared to other applications received, if applicable;
and
``(ii) develop and implement metrics-based performance
measures to assess the effectiveness of the activities
funded.
``(D) Collaboration.--In awarding financial assistance
under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, acting through the
National Program Office established under subsection (f)(1),
collaborate with Federal departments and agencies whose
missions contribute to or are affected by advanced
manufacturing.
``(E) Considerations.--In selecting a person who submitted
an application under paragraph (2) for an award of financial
assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider,
at a minimum, the following:
``(i) The potential of the center for manufacturing
innovation to advance domestic manufacturing and the
likelihood of economic impact, including the creation or
preservation of jobs, in the predominant focus areas of the
center for manufacturing innovation.
``(ii) The commitment of continued financial support,
advice, participation, and other contributions from non-
Federal sources, to provide leverage and resources to promote
a stable and sustainable business model without the need for
long-term Federal funding.
``(iii) Whether the financial support provided to the
center for manufacturing innovation from non-Federal sources
significantly exceeds the requested Federal financial
assistance.
``(iv) How the center for manufacturing innovation will
increase the non-Federal investment in advanced manufacturing
research in the United States.
``(v) How the center for manufacturing innovation will
engage with small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises,
to improve the capacity of such enterprises to commercialize
new processes and technologies.
``(vi) How the center for manufacturing innovation will
carry out educational and workforce activities that meet
industrial needs related to the predominant focus areas of
the center.
``(vii) How the center for manufacturing innovation will
advance economic competitiveness and generate substantial
benefits to the Nation that extend beyond the direct return
to participants in the Program.
``(viii) Whether the predominant focus of the center for
manufacturing innovation is a manufacturing process, novel
material, enabling technology, supply chain integration
methodology, or other relevant aspect of advanced
manufacturing that has not already been commercialized,
marketed, distributed, or sold by another entity.
``(ix) How the center for manufacturing innovation will
strengthen and leverage the assets of a region.
``(x) How the center for manufacturing will encourage the
education and training of veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
``(5) Limitations on awards.--
``(A) In general.--No award of financial assistance may be
made under paragraph (1) to a center of manufacturing
innovation after the 7-year period beginning on the date on
which the Secretary first awards financial assistance to that
center under that paragraph.
``(B) Matching funds and preferences.--The total Federal
financial assistance awarded to a center of manufacturing
innovation, including the financial assistance under
paragraph (1), in a given year shall not exceed 50 percent of
the total funding of the center in that year, except that the
Secretary may make an exception in the case of large capital
facilities or equipment purchases. The Secretary shall give
weighted preference to applicants seeking less than the
maximum Federal share of funds allowed under this paragraph.
``(C) Funding decrease.--The amount of financial assistance
provided to a center of manufacturing innovation under
paragraph (1) shall decrease after the second year of funding
for the center, and shall continue to decrease thereafter in
each year in which financial assistance is provided, unless
the Secretary determines that--
``(i) the center is otherwise meeting its stated goals and
metrics under this section;
``(ii) unforeseen circumstances have altered the center's
anticipated funding; and
``(iii) the center can identify future non-Federal funding
sources that would warrant a temporary exemption from the
limitations established in this subparagraph.
``(e) Funding.--
``(1) General rule.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
no funds are authorized to be appropriated by the Revitalize
American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 for
carrying out this section.
``(2) Authority.--
``(A) NIST industrial technical services account.--To the
extent provided for in advance by appropriations Acts, the
Secretary may use not to exceed $5,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2015 through 2024 to carry out this section from
amounts appropriated to the Institute for Industrial
Technical Services.
``(B) Energy efficiency and renewable energy account.--To
the extent provided for in advance by appropriations Acts,
the Secretary of Energy may transfer to the Institute not to
exceed $250,000,000 for the period encompassing fiscal years
2015 through 2024 for the Secretary to carry out this section
from amounts appropriated for advanced manufacturing research
and development within the Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy account for the Department of Energy.
``(f) National Program Office.--
``(1) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish, within
the Institute, the National Office of the Network for
Manufacturing Innovation Program (referred to in this section
as the `National Program Office'), which shall oversee and
carry out the Program.
``(2) Functions.--The functions of the National Program
Office are--
``(A) to oversee the planning, management, and coordination
of the Program;
``(B) to enter into memorandums of understanding with
Federal departments and agencies whose missions contribute to
or are affected by advanced manufacturing, to carry out the
purposes described in subsection (a)(2);
``(C) to develop, not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and
Innovation Act of 2014, and update not less frequently than
once every 3 years thereafter, a strategic plan to guide the
Program;
``(D) to establish such procedures, processes, and criteria
as may be necessary and appropriate to maximize cooperation
and coordinate the activities of the Program with programs
and activities of other Federal departments and agencies
whose missions contribute to or are affected by advanced
manufacturing;
``(E) to establish a clearinghouse of public information
related to the activities of the Program; and
``(F) to act as a convener of the Network.
``(3) Recommendations.--In developing and updating the
strategic plan under paragraph (2)(C), the Secretary shall
solicit recommendations and advice from a wide range of
stakeholders, including industry, small and medium-sized
manufacturing enterprises, research universities, community
colleges, and other relevant organizations and institutions
on an ongoing basis.
``(4) Report to congress.--Upon completion, the Secretary
shall transmit the strategic plan required under paragraph
(2)(C) to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives.
``(5) Hollings manufacturing extension partnership.--The
Secretary shall ensure that the National Program Office
incorporates the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership
into Program planning to
[[Page H7517]]
ensure that the results of the Program reach small and
medium-sized entities.
``(6) Detailees.--Any Federal Government employee may be
detailed to the National Program Office without
reimbursement. Such detail shall be without interruption or
loss of civil service status or privilege.
``(g) Reporting and Auditing.--
``(1) Annual reports to the secretary.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall require each
recipient of financial assistance under subsection (d)(1) to
annually submit a report to the Secretary that describes the
finances and performance of the center for manufacturing
innovation for which such assistance was awarded.
``(B) Elements.--Each report submitted under subparagraph
(A) shall include--
``(i) an accounting of expenditures of amounts awarded to
the recipient under subsection (d)(1); and
``(ii) consistent with the metrics-based performance
measures developed and implemented by the Secretary under
this section, a description of the performance of the center
for manufacturing innovation with respect to--
``(I) its goals, plans, financial support, and
accomplishments; and
``(II) how the center for manufacturing innovation has
furthered the purposes described in subsection (a)(2).
``(2) Annual reports to congress.--
``(A) In general.--Not less frequently than once each year
until December 31, 2024, the Secretary shall submit a report
to Congress that describes the performance of the Program
during the most recent 1-year period.
``(B) Elements.--Each report submitted under subparagraph
(A) shall include, for the period covered by the report--
``(i) a summary and assessment of the reports received by
the Secretary under paragraph (1);
``(ii) an accounting of the funds expended by the Secretary
under the Program, including any temporary exemptions granted
from the requirements of subsection (d)(5)(C);
``(iii) an assessment of the participation in, and
contributions to, the Network by any centers for
manufacturing innovation not receiving financial assistance
under subsection (d)(1); and
``(iv) an assessment of the Program with respect to meeting
the purposes described in subsection (a)(2).
``(3) Assessments by gao.--
``(A) Assessments.--Not less frequently than once every 2
years, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress an
assessment of the operation of the Program during the most
recent 2-year period.
``(B) Final assessment.--Not later than December 31, 2024,
the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a final
report regarding the overall success of the Program.
``(C) Elements.--Each assessment submitted under
subparagraph (A) or (B) shall include, for the period covered
by the report--
``(i) a review of the management, coordination, and
industry utility of the Program;
``(ii) an assessment of the extent to which the Program has
furthered the purposes described in subsection (a)(2);
``(iii) such recommendations for legislative and
administrative action as the Comptroller General considers
appropriate to improve the Program; and
``(iv) an assessment as to whether any prior
recommendations for improvement made by the Comptroller
General have been implemented or adopted.
``(h) Additional Authorities.--
``(1) Appointment of personnel and contracts.--The
Secretary may appoint such personnel and enter into such
contracts, financial assistance agreements, and other
agreements as the Secretary considers necessary or
appropriate to carry out the Program, including support for
research and development activities involving a center for
manufacturing innovation.
``(2) Transfer of funds.--Of amounts available under the
authority provided by subsection (e), the Secretary may
transfer to other Federal agencies such sums as the Secretary
considers necessary or appropriate to carry out the Program.
No funds so transferred may be used to reimburse or otherwise
pay for the costs of financial assistance incurred or
commitments of financial assistance made prior to the date of
enactment of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and
Innovation Act of 2014.
``(3) Authority of other agencies.--In the event that the
Secretary exercises the authority to transfer funds to
another agency under paragraph (2), such agency may accept
such funds to award and administer, under the same conditions
and constraints applicable to the Secretary, all aspects of
financial assistance awards under this section.
``(4) Use of resources.--In furtherance of the purposes of
the Program, the Secretary may use, with the consent of a
covered entity and with or without reimbursement, the land,
services, equipment, personnel, and facilities of such
covered entity.
``(5) Acceptance of resources.--In addition to amounts
appropriated to carry out the Program, the Secretary may
accept funds, services, equipment, personnel, and facilities
from any covered entity to carry out the Program, subject to
the same conditions and constraints otherwise applicable to
the Secretary under this section and such funds may only be
obligated to the extent provided for in advance by
appropriations Acts.
``(6) Covered entity.--For purposes of this subsection, a
covered entity is any Federal department, Federal agency,
instrumentality of the United States, State, local
government, tribal government, territory, or possession of
the United States, or of any political subdivision thereof,
or international organization, or any public or private
entity or individual.
``(i) Patents.--Chapter 18 of title 35, United States Code,
shall apply to any funding agreement (as defined in section
201 of that title) awarded to new or existing centers for
manufacturing innovation.''.
SEC. 4. NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ADVANCED MANUFACTURING.
Section 102 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of
2010 (42 U.S.C. 6622) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
``In furtherance of the Committee's work, the Committee shall
consult with the National Economic Council.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (7) and
inserting the following:
``(7) develop and update a national strategic plan for
advanced manufacturing in accordance with subsection (c).'';
and
(3) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing.--
``(1) In general.--The President shall submit to Congress,
and publish on an Internet website that is accessible to the
public, the strategic plan developed under paragraph (2).
``(2) Development.--The Committee shall develop, and update
as required under paragraph (4), in coordination with the
National Economic Council, a strategic plan to improve
Government coordination and provide long-term guidance for
Federal programs and activities in support of United States
manufacturing competitiveness, including advanced
manufacturing research and development.
``(3) Contents.--The strategic plan described in paragraph
(2) shall--
``(A) specify and prioritize near-term and long-term
objectives, including research and development objectives,
the anticipated time frame for achieving the objectives, and
the metrics for use in assessing progress toward the
objectives;
``(B) describe the progress made in achieving the
objectives from prior strategic plans, including a discussion
of why specific objectives were not met;
``(C) specify the role, including the programs and
activities, of each relevant Federal agency in meeting the
objectives of the strategic plan;
``(D) describe how the Federal agencies and Federally
funded research and development centers supporting advanced
manufacturing research and development will foster the
transfer of research and development results into new
manufacturing technologies and United States-based
manufacturing of new products and processes for the benefit
of society to ensure national, energy, and economic security;
``(E) describe how such Federal agencies and centers will
strengthen all levels of manufacturing education and training
programs to ensure an adequate, well-trained workforce;
``(F) describe how such Federal agencies and centers will
assist small and medium-sized manufacturers in developing and
implementing new products and processes;
``(G) analyze factors that impact innovation and
competitiveness for United States advanced manufacturing,
including--
``(i) technology transfer and commercialization activities;
``(ii) the adequacy of the national security industrial
base;
``(iii) the capabilities of the domestic manufacturing
workforce;
``(iv) export opportunities and trade policies;
``(v) financing, investment, and taxation policies and
practices;
``(vi) emerging technologies and markets;
``(vii) advanced manufacturing research and development
undertaken by competing nations; and
``(viii) the capabilities of the manufacturing workforce of
competing nations; and
``(H) elicit and consider the recommendations of a wide
range of stakeholders, including representatives from diverse
manufacturing companies, academia, and other relevant
organizations and institutions.
``(4) Updates.--Not later than May 1, 2018, and not less
frequently than once every 4 years thereafter, the President
shall submit to Congress, and publish on an Internet website
that is accessible to the public, an update of the strategic
plan submitted under paragraph (1). Such updates shall be
developed in accordance with the procedures set forth under
this subsection.
``(5) Requirement to consider strategy in the budget.--In
preparing the budget for a fiscal year 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 strategic plan
developed under this subsection applying to that fiscal year.
``(6) AMP steering committee input.--The Advanced
Manufacturing Partnership Steering Committee of the
President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
shall provide input, perspective, and recommendations to
assist in the development and updates of the strategic plan
under this subsection.''.
[[Page H7518]]
SEC. 5. REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAM.
Section 27 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation
Act of 1980 (15 U.S.C. 3722) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 27. REGIONAL INNOVATION PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a
regional innovation program to encourage and support the
development of regional innovation strategies, including
regional innovation clusters.
``(b) Cluster Grants.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the program established under
subsection (a), the Secretary may award grants on a
competitive basis to eligible recipients for activities
relating to the formation and development of regional
innovation clusters.
``(2) Permissible activities.--Grants awarded under this
subsection may be used for activities determined appropriate
by the Secretary, including the following:
``(A) Feasibility studies.
``(B) Planning activities.
``(C) Technical assistance.
``(D) Developing or strengthening communication and
collaboration between and among participants of a regional
innovation cluster.
``(E) Attracting additional participants to a regional
innovation cluster.
``(F) Facilitating market development of products and
services developed by a regional innovation cluster,
including through demonstration, deployment, technology
transfer, and commercialization activities.
``(G) Developing relationships between a regional
innovation cluster and entities or clusters in other regions.
``(H) Interacting with the public and State and local
governments to meet the goals of the cluster.
``(3) Eligible recipient defined.--In this subsection, the
term `eligible recipient' means--
``(A) a State;
``(B) an Indian tribe;
``(C) a city or other political subdivision of a State;
``(D) an entity that--
``(i) is a nonprofit organization, an institution of higher
education, a public-private partnership, a science or
research park, a Federal laboratory, or an economic
development organization or similar entity; and
``(ii) has an application that is supported by a State or a
political subdivision of a State; or
``(E) a consortium of any of the entities described in
subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(4) Application.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible recipient shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner,
and containing such information and assurances as the
Secretary may require.
``(B) Components.--The application shall include, at a
minimum, a description of the regional innovation cluster
supported by the proposed activity, including a description
of--
``(i) whether the regional innovation cluster is supported
by the private sector, State and local governments, and other
relevant stakeholders;
``(ii) how the existing participants in the regional
innovation cluster will encourage and solicit participation
by all types of entities that might benefit from
participation, including newly formed entities and those
rival existing participants;
``(iii) the extent to which the regional innovation cluster
is likely to stimulate innovation and have a positive impact
on regional economic growth and development;
``(iv) whether the participants in the regional innovation
cluster have access to, or contribute to, a well-trained
workforce;
``(v) whether the participants in the regional innovation
cluster are capable of attracting additional funds from non-
Federal sources; and
``(vi) the likelihood that the participants in the regional
innovation cluster will be able to sustain activities once
grant funds under this subsection have been expended.
``(C) Special consideration.--The Secretary shall give
special consideration to applications from regions that
contain communities negatively impacted by trade.
``(5) Special consideration.--The Secretary shall give
special consideration to an eligible recipient who agrees to
collaborate with local workforce investment area boards.
``(6) Cost share.--The Secretary may not provide more than
50 percent of the total cost of any activity funded under
this subsection.
``(7) Outreach to rural communities.--The Secretary shall
conduct outreach to public and private sector entities in
rural communities to encourage those entities to participate
in regional innovation cluster activities under this
subsection.
``(8) Funding.--The Secretary may accept funds from other
Federal agencies to support grants and activities under this
subsection.
``(c) Regional Innovation Research and Information
Program.--
``(1) In general.--As part of the program established under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a regional
innovation research and information program--
``(A) to gather, analyze, and disseminate information on
best practices for regional innovation strategies (including
regional innovation clusters), including information relating
to how innovation, productivity, and economic development can
be maximized through such strategies;
``(B) to provide technical assistance, including through
the development of technical assistance guides, for the
development and implementation of regional innovation
strategies (including regional innovation clusters);
``(C) to support the development of relevant metrics and
measurement standards to evaluate regional innovation
strategies (including regional innovation clusters),
including the extent to which such strategies stimulate
innovation, productivity, and economic development; and
``(D) to collect and make available data on regional
innovation cluster activity in the United States, including
data on--
``(i) the size, specialization, and competitiveness of
regional innovation clusters;
``(ii) the regional domestic product contribution, total
jobs and earnings by key occupations, establishment size,
nature of specialization, patents, Federal research and
development spending, and other relevant information for
regional innovation clusters; and
``(iii) supply chain product and service flows within and
between regional innovation clusters.
``(2) Research grants.--The Secretary may award research
grants on a competitive basis to support and further the
goals of the program established under this subsection.
``(3) Dissemination of information.--Data and analysis
compiled by the Secretary under the program established in
this subsection shall be made available to other Federal
agencies, State and local governments, and nonprofit and for-
profit entities.
``(4) Regional innovation grant program.--The Secretary
shall incorporate data and analysis relating to any grant
under subsection (b) into the program established under this
subsection.
``(d) Interagency Coordination.--
``(1) In general.--To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary shall ensure that the activities carried out under
this section are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the
efforts of, other programs at the Department of Commerce or
other Federal agencies.
``(2) Collaboration.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall explore and pursue
collaboration with other Federal agencies, including through
multiagency funding opportunities, on regional innovation
strategies.
``(B) Small businesses.--The Secretary shall ensure that
such collaboration with Federal agencies prioritizes the
needs and challenges of small businesses.
``(e) Evaluation.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
enactment of the Revitalize American Manufacturing and
Innovation Act of 2014, the Secretary shall enter into a
contract with an independent entity, such as the National
Academy of Sciences, to conduct an evaluation of the program
established under subsection (a).
``(2) Requirements.--The evaluation shall include--
``(A) whether the program is achieving its goals;
``(B) any recommendations for how the program may be
improved; and
``(C) a recommendation as to whether the program should be
continued or terminated.
``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Regional innovation cluster.--The term `regional
innovation cluster' means a geographically bounded network of
similar, synergistic, or complementary entities that--
``(A) are engaged in or with a particular industry sector
and its related sectors;
``(B) have active channels for business transactions and
communication;
``(C) share specialized infrastructure, labor markets, and
services; and
``(D) leverage the region's unique competitive strengths to
stimulate innovation and create jobs.
``(2) State.--The term `State' means one of the several
States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States.
``(g) Funding.--
``(1) General rule.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
no funds are authorized to be appropriated by the Revitalize
American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014 for
carrying out this section.
``(2) Authority.--To the extent provided for in advance by
appropriations Acts, the Secretary may use not to exceed
$10,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2015 through 2019 to
carry out this section from amounts appropriated for economic
development assistance programs.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. Bucshon) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr.
Kennedy) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Indiana.
General Leave
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to
include extraneous material on H.R. 2996, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Indiana?
There was no objection.
[[Page H7519]]
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act
of 2014, or RAMI Act, strengthens a critical sector of America's
economy: advanced manufacturing.
Thanks to Congressman Tom Reed from New York for his diligent work on
this legislation and to the gentleman from Massachusetts, Joe Kennedy.
I also want to acknowledge the leadership of Science Committee Chairman
Lamar Smith who worked with Mr. Reed and Mr. Kennedy and members on
both sides of the aisle on our committee in order to reach a bipartisan
consensus on this legislation.
A strong manufacturing base is fundamental to U.S. economic success
and national security.
Manufacturing supports more than 17 million direct and indirect
American jobs. This includes 12 million Americans--almost 10 percent of
the workforce--who work directly for small, medium, or large
manufacturing companies.
For the millions of Americans who are employed in manufacturing
fields, what matters most is that the manufacturing creates good-
paying, family-supporting, community-sustaining jobs.
Manufacturing is especially important to Indiana, as it makes up just
over 28 percent of our gross State product, the highest in the country.
Indiana also leads the Nation in manufacturing employment. In Indiana's
Eighth Congressional District that I represent, I have seen firsthand
the work being done at manufacturers such as Berry Plastics, Toyota
Motor, and Alcoa.
The thriving manufacturing industry in the Eighth District is also
thanks to universities like Vincennes University, the University of
Evansville, and the University of Southern Indiana producing a talented
and well-trained workforce through degrees related to advanced
manufacturing and working closely with the manufacturing employers in
the district. Ivy Tech statewide also supports this effort.
My district is also home to every coal mine in Indiana. Affordable
energy from sources such as coal and natural gas are vital components
in boosting production for American manufacturers and attracting others
from across the globe.
The United States continues to have one of the largest, strongest
manufacturing sectors in the world and has demonstrated its ability to
adapt and innovate time and time again. But our leading position is not
guaranteed. Competing nations have been ramping up their investments in
research and development and taking decisive steps to equal and surpass
the United States. For instance, the World Bank reports that China
already has forged ahead in high technology exports, with about 28
percent of the global market, compared to 18 percent for the United
States.
We need to take steps now to emphasize the strengths of American
industry and shore up its weaknesses. With a limited government role,
we can help our manufacturers to be competitive and ensure that
American workers and their families reap the benefits of high-paying
advanced manufacturing jobs.
This bill will help our advanced manufacturers to accelerate the pace
at which new technology is converted into better manufacturing
processes and improved products.
This legislation will help America remain globally competitive in
manufacturing. It will ensure that new and innovative projects come
equipped with ``Made in America'' on their labels.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking my colleague and
friend, Tom Reed, for being a partner as we built momentum and support
for this bill from the very beginning.
I would also like to thank the chairman of the Science, Space, and
Technology Committee, Chairman Lamar Smith, and Ranking Member Eddie
Bernice Johnson for their leadership as we worked out this bill through
our committee.
By many metrics the economic picture in this country continues to
improve. Unemployment rates are down, businesses are growing, and
innovation is occurring at a breathtaking pace. But there is a flip
side to that coin that we cannot ignore: our economic recovery to date
has left far too many behind.
In my district, proud industrial cities like Fall River, Taunton, and
Attleboro are working tirelessly in the face of stubborn unemployment
rates to adapt their workforce, infrastructure, and industry to the
realities of a modern, global economy.
Our manufacturing sector is a critical vehicle for bringing
industrial cities and working-class communities across the country into
the fold of the innovation economy, providing a critical link between
our middle class workforce and fast-growing fields like biotech,
robotics, or clean energy.
The resurgence in American manufacturing has already reaped enormous
economic gains, currently supporting over 17 million jobs with an
average annual salary of over $77,500.
There is a lot more potential on that table, and that is the idea
behind RAMI. This bill creates a National Network for Manufacturing
Innovation to improve our competitiveness, stimulate R&D, spread the
risk of investment to bring new products and ideas to market, educate
the next-generation workforce, and facilitate peer-to-peer exchange and
best practices.
These public-private centers for manufacturing innovation will
leverage limited and targeted government funding matched dollar for
dollar with private sector investment and expertise.
Each center will be based on a new technology.
Partnerships will include large and small businesses, universities,
community colleges, career and technical schools, Federal labs, and
nonprofits.
Centers will leverage the regional assets to overcome communal
challenges.
Groups will apply for funding, putting the reins back where they
belong: in the hands of industry and researchers facing the next big
manufacturing challenge.
Each application will go through an open, transparent peer and merit
review process, minimizing conflicts of interest and ensuring the best
practices and best proposals move forward.
It is a model that we have already seen proven successful across the
country, where institutes are creating jobs and bringing products to
market in diverse fields such as 3D printing, clean energy,
semiconductors, and digital design.
I urge my colleagues to help propel this growth by supporting the
Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Reed), the sponsor of the bill.
Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for yielding time for me
to address you this evening.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this Revitalize
American Manufacturing and Innovation Act that we have authored and
submitted for consideration today.
But as we speak about the details and before we speak about the
details, I want to take a moment to thank a few people. I would like to
thank my good friend from Massachusetts. Joe Kennedy and I started on
this effort many months ago. We went through the process, and we are
here tonight after lengthy negotiations, deliberations, and input from
many stakeholders from all across America. With his diligent hard work
standing with us, I am proud to call him a friend this evening as we
consider this legislation for passage.
I would like to thank Chairman Smith of the Science Committee for
standing firm and leading on this issue, as well, as well as the
subcommittee chairman, my good friend from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), as
well as the ranking members, Johnson and Lipinski, of the Science
Committee and the Appropriations Committee, and Chairman Hal Rogers.
Mr. Speaker, I am excited about this legislation. When I came here to
Washington, D.C., in 2010, I came here to do something. This is the
kind of legislation--bringing parties together, Democrats, Republicans
standing together in a concerted, directed effort--to get policy
adopted that will grow the American economy and put people back to
work.
We hear the term many times, and heard it tonight again: jobs. Well,
Mr.
[[Page H7520]]
Speaker, this legislation will accomplish that. But on top of that,
this legislation is designed to the heart of advanced manufacturing in
the United States of America. These are the great innovations of
tomorrow that we are taking from the concept phase and putting into the
commercial phase.
And how are we doing that? With a united vision, a united plan,
Democrats, Republicans, coming together to stand for workforce
development, for identifying those technologies that are emerging that
we can put as a priority on the national stage to create the jobs of
today and tomorrow, because at the end of the day that is what this is
all about. This is about building it here to sell it there. It is about
building those products that generations before us envisioned but just
couldn't get to the finish line. This is a concerted effort that will
take that technology innovation from the shelf and put it in Main
Street America so that hardworking taxpayers will have an opportunity
for this generation and the generations to come.
I applaud this legislation, I applaud this effort. As we do this, let
us recognize that we came together to pay for this legislation tonight,
fully offset, the program and priority that we are putting together
through this RAMI legislation.
Now, I look forward to the Senate and their efforts to hopefully take
this legislation up. Things I hear today and tonight are very positive
on that front. I encourage my colleagues in the Senate to act quickly
to create and pass this legislation that will provide for generations
to come.
We have created an opportunity here to create American jobs. It is
time for us, as we did many times before, to come together, solve
America's problems, and put this type of legislation on the President's
desk--which all indications are that he will accept and sign--and get
American manufacturing back on its feet so that it builds products for
generations to come.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of
H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of
2014.
When it comes to job-creating bills, many of our promises these days
can seem empty. But the bill before us today will deliver results, not
just rhetoric. This bill, if enacted and funded, will do more than any
other measure this Congress has recently debated to revitalize American
manufacturing and create high-skill, high-paying jobs in communities
across the country.
The decline in U.S. manufacturing has been a threat to middle class
jobs and to our entire economy for decades. Many of those jobs,
however, were low-skilled jobs, never to return. But we have also seen
a large number of higher-skilled jobs move offshore, along with the
supply chain that supports manufacturing.
The good news is we experience a rebound in good-paying, high-skilled
jobs as our economy continues to recover and manufacturers realize the
advantages of remaining close to the world's greatest scientific and
technological talent.
{time} 2130
However, these gains remain modest. In the meantime, our
international competitors are busy implementing and funding policies
that will further threaten the American manufacturing base and send our
best talents overseas.
I am deeply concerned that we could reach a tipping point beyond
which it will be nearly impossible to rebuild a vibrant manufacturing
sector here in the U.S. We must act now to ensure that American
companies and factories maintain their capacity to be the most
sophisticated in the world and that American colleges and universities
graduate the workforce to fill advanced manufacturing jobs on our
shores.
The Revitalize American Manufacturing Innovation Act, or RAMI, is a
critical step toward this goal. This bill makes strategic investments
in advanced manufacturing research, development, and education across
our Nation. In keeping with our entire history of innovation, this bill
creates partnerships involving the public sector, the private sector,
and our great research institutions for the benefit of Americans.
However, even if this bill gets enacted this month, our job is not
done. Specifically, I am concerned about an unnecessary obstacle we
have added to the bill that could make it difficult to stand up and
sustain this program. To meet majority rules about offsetting all new
authorizations, the bill that passed out of committee contained
language that by some subsequent interpretations looked like
appropriating on an authorization bill. I want to assure my
appropriations colleagues that if I had my way, we would have written a
straightforward authorization as we have always done throughout this
committee's history.
Clarifying language has been added to the bill, but we now look to
the appropriators to take the next step necessary of standing up for
this program in fiscal year 2015. In that regard, I look forward to
working with my appropriations colleagues to ensure that this program
gets funded next year and for the duration of the authorization.
I would like to thank my colleagues, Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Reed, for
their bipartisan work to develop this legislation and determination in
moving it forward. I would also like to thank Chairman Smith for his
efforts to bring this bill to the floor.
Finally, I am also pleased that this legislation includes the
manufacturing strategy introduced by Mr. Lipinski and the
reauthorization of the Regional Innovation program introduced by Mr.
Hultgren and Mr. Kilmer. These are important steps in the right
direction.
I strongly support this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues
to do the same.
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me say to the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Reed) and to the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy) that I appreciate all their time, effort,
and work that has gone into this piece of legislation. It is because of
their patience and diligence and persistence that we arrived at this
particularly important place tonight and are considering this
legislation.
I also wanted to point out that this bill will, with every
expectation that we have, create thousands of manufacturing jobs in the
United States. The fact that New York and Massachusetts will benefit
from these jobs is an important consideration, but the jobs that are
created are going to be across the country. And so the gentlemen from
New York and Massachusetts are doing an immense favor to our economy
and to our economic growth in America.
Mr. Speaker, advanced manufacturing is fundamental to future U.S.
economic success and national security. America has led the world since
World War II, but our global leadership is not guaranteed. Competing
nations have increased their investments in advanced manufacturing to
surpass the United States. The World Bank reports, for example, that
China now leads the U.S. in high-tech exports with 28 percent of the
global market versus 18 percent for the United States.
In order to be competitive, our advanced manufacturers, large,
medium, and small, must accelerate R&D, develop next generation
products, develop new manufacturing processes, retrain their workforce,
and introduce new technology to supply chains.
This legislation, the Revitalize American Innovation Act of 2014, by
Representatives Reed and Kennedy authorizes up to $300 million for
fiscal years 2015 through 2024 for the Commerce Department, NIST, to
develop the Network for Manufacturing Innovation, or NMI.
The NMI will not increase spending because $250 million will come
from annual appropriations from the Department of Energy's Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and $50 million from annual
appropriations for Industrial Technical Services. NMI will accelerate
private investment, commercialization of technology, and cooperation
among multiple industrial entities, research universities, and other
stakeholders to increase competitiveness and innovation in U.S.
advanced manufacturing.
[[Page H7521]]
Also included in the legislation is a bill developed by Mr. Lipinski
which requires the President to submit a quadrennial advanced
manufacturing strategic plan to Congress, a comprehensive assessment of
the global competitive situation, and recommendations for strengthening
the competitiveness of U.S. advanced manufacturing.
In the latter category, for instance, three obvious steps stand out
right now. Two of these steps are highlighted by the just-released 2014
International Tax Competitiveness Index, which ranks the overall U.S.
tax system as 32nd worst among the 34 developed nations. We would go a
long way toward reinvigorating our economy and putting Americans back
to work if we first reduce the U.S. corporate tax rate from highest in
the developed world, and second, encourage more business investment in
new technology by making the R&D tax credit permanent.
The third crucial step to bolster U.S. manufacturing is to recognize
the importance and take advantage of abundant, affordable domestic
natural gas. Shale gas is a major revolution contributing to the
manufacturing renaissance taking place in America.
Manufacturing accounts for 30 percent of natural gas consumption in
the U.S. and represents more than one-third of some manufacturers'
costs. Not only does affordable, abundant natural gas benefit our
entire manufacturing sector, the coproducts of natural gas are primary
feedstocks for the production of chemicals, fertilizers, and plastics.
An industry expert recently reported that U.S. chemical manufacturers
have surpassed $100 billion in investments related to shale gas, with
an anticipated $81 billion in new annual chemical industry output and
more than 600,000 permanent new jobs in the U.S. In Texas alone, there
have been nearly 30 projects announced in the petrochemical
manufacturing sector.
Finally, included in the bill before us is a provision authored by
Mr. Hultgren and cosponsored by Mr. Kilmer to support regional
innovation efforts to make U.S. manufacturers and businesses more
competitive. Funding for this 5-year program will come from annual
appropriations for the Commerce Department's economic development
programs.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the bipartisan
cooperation that has gone into moving this legislation through the
Science Committee and to the House floor. To all of my colleagues on
the committee, to the Research and Technology Subcommittee chair and
ranking member, Mr. Bucshon and Mr. Lipinski, and to the ranking member
of the Science Committee, Ms. Johnson, the gentlewoman from Texas,
thank you for your good work that has brought us to the point of
passage of the bill.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Cicilline).
Mr. CICILLINE. I thank the gentleman for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Revitalize American
Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2014.
Rhode Island, the birthplace of the industrial revolution, with a
very strong and long manufacturing history, is seeing the benefits of
investing in rebuilding manufacturing, and this bill will create
exciting opportunities to do more.
This important legislation will establish the Network for
Manufacturing Innovation program and a grant program to support
domestic production, drive innovation, and leverage private funding and
commercialization to develop sustainable business strategies.
Across the United States, industry experts and economists are
increasingly optimistic about a resurgence in American manufacturing.
This is a critical time for Congress to help Federal, State, and local
entities leverage existing resources, spur regional collaboration, and
support economic recovery and job creation in high-growth advanced
manufacturing sectors.
In particular, I want to thank the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Reed), the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Kennedy), and the entire
committee for the inclusion of a provision to reauthorize the Regional
Innovation program for 5 years. I particularly want to compliment both
of my colleagues Mr. Reed and Mr. Kennedy for their work on this bill
and for approaching this important issue with a spirit of real
bipartisanship and genuine collaboration.
In an effort to promote innovation and regional collaboration, the
America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 established a Regional
Innovation program within the Economic Development Administration. The
program is designed to encourage and support the development of
regional innovation strategies, including regional innovation clusters
and science and research parks. Funding for the Regional Innovation
program supports the EDA's interagency effort to build regional
innovation clusters such as the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator
Challenge and the Make it in America Challenge.
Through the Regional Innovation program local leaders are empowered
to maximize existing assets and are provided resources to ensure that
historically underrepresented communities, including those hardest hit
by employment and economic decline, are able to participate and benefit
from growth in a regional cluster.
To close, this bill recognizes that manufacturing and innovation are
critically important to America's ability to compete in a 21st century
global economy. To compete in the 21st century and win, America must
invest in scaling up promising technology and innovative ideas.
Supporting the development of regional innovation clusters strengthens
our capacity to sustain and grow our economic recovery. This
legislation will help do just that.
Again, I want to urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I
compliment my friends Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Reed for their great work.
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to recognize the
ranking member of the Research and Technology Subcommittee. Mr.
Lipinski has worked on this issue for many years, including the
Manufacturing Competitiveness Act that is included in this bill.
At this time, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr.
Hultgren), a member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee,
who is another sponsor of the bill.
Mr. HULTGREN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, Mr.
Bucshon from Indiana. I also want to recognize the important leadership
of Chairman Smith. I want to thank him for his great work on this. I
also want to thank the sponsors who really did so much of the heavy
lifting on this. Congressman Reed and Congressman Kennedy did great
work on a wonderful bill.
Manufacturing is a vital component of my district's economy. There
are 554 manufacturing facilities in the 14th Congressional District
with 10 or more employees in them. Manufacturing facilities employ also
more than 27,000 workers across my district alone.
The workers at manufacturing facilities in the 14th Congressional
District of Illinois have felt the economic downturn disproportionately
as Federal and State governments have failed to change outdated or
unneeded policies that keep my constituents from regaining full
employment. Later this week, the House will vote on a package of bills
to help alleviate these problems, but there are more ways we must act
to help ensure our manufacturers have the tools they need to remain
competitive on the world stage.
This legislation gives needed direction to the administration for
funding a national network for manufacturing innovation. These programs
would bring together our country's vast research capabilities and help
align our institutions with industry partners. Our universities and
colleges must know what industry needs in order to provide valuable
research as well as train our next workforce. This legislation would
also help to remove some of the barriers that keep industry from
working together and innovating in a 21st century economy.
I am also very glad to see authorization for the Regional Innovation
program. This is a smart, targeted program that allows local regions to
pool their resources and work together. Industry clusters are one of
the most effective ways to compile and share best practices, and the
fact that these programs give preference to bids involving Local
Workforce Investment Boards is another reason to support this bill.
[[Page H7522]]
These boards are doing all they can to help my constituents find work,
and this is the cooperative federalism that will ensure taxpayer
dollars are not wasted.
I would like to commend the gentleman from New York for introducing
this legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in favor of
this bill.
{time} 2145
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Kilmer).
Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Representatives Kennedy and
Reed for working across the aisle to develop legislation that will
encourage the growth of innovative technologies and the creation of a
manufacturing workforce that will be able to compete on the global
playing field.
I also want to thank the Representatives for working with
Representative Hultgren and myself to include the reauthorization of
the Regional Innovation program.
The Regional Innovation program provides needed support to innovative
initiatives that accelerate technology commercialization, job creation,
and economic growth in the United States. It acknowledges something
important, that innovation and job growth don't happen in large marble
buildings in our Nation's Capitol; rather, it happens on the ground in
communities throughout our Nation.
It happens in Tacoma where world-class research on clean water is
happening in a collaboration between our companies and our university.
It is happening on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington where innovative
companies and innovative people are developing composite technology in
partnership with the local college.
If the United States is going to be a global economic competitor in
the 21st century, we need to focus on growing a high-skilled workforce
in our communities.
I spent a decade working in economic development. We had a sign up on
the wall in our office that said, ``We are competing with everyone,
everywhere, every day, forever.''
Bills like this will help us compete. It will help us make things
here in the United States; and, as the dad of two little girls, I am
hopeful it will provide opportunity for future generations to make
things here in America.
I think the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Bill is
a sign we are moving in the right direction.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to quickly address an issue of future
appropriations for the network of manufacturing innovation. As recently
as the fiscal year 2014 omnibus appropriations act, Congress included
language in the explanatory statement, pointing out that the
appropriations bill did not address a manufacturing network as Congress
had not considered or approved a legislative proposal.
Well, the bill before us today solves that problem. It would
authorize agencies to use funds to spur innovation and boost domestic
manufacturing.
Even more recently, the fiscal year 2015 Commerce, Justice, Science
Appropriations Bill that passed the House on May 30, 2014, included
report language on this topic showing an openness to further funding.
Congress had been waiting for this bill to come to the floor to
formally authorize this important program.
After we pass this bill, I look forward to working with my colleagues
on the Appropriations Committee to provide much-needed funding for the
network of manufacturing innovation.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 30 seconds again to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. Smith), the chairman of the Science, Space, and
Technology Committee.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana
for yielding to me.
Mr. Speaker, before we conclude debate on this bill, I just wanted to
thank senior staff who have worked long months in developing this
legislation and in refining it and getting it to the point where it is
bipartisan, and we believe that the prospects for passage in the Senate
are good as well.
Now, the senior staff on our side, the majority side, include Chris
Wydler, Cliff Shannon, and Katy Crooks; and, if I may be presumptuous
to do so, on the minority side, they include Dahlia Sokolov and John
Piazza. We appreciate their support and many other members of the staff
who have contributed to this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire how much time I have left?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Massachusetts has 7
minutes remaining.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to
the gentleman from California (Mr. Honda).
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, as a cosponsor of this bill, I rise in
enthusiastic support of H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American
Manufacturing and Innovation Act. The public-private partnerships
created by this bill will help rebuild our Nation's manufacturing
capacity and grow private sector investments in manufacturing.
I hail from Silicon Valley, the Nation's epicenter of technology and
innovation. Right now, Silicon Valley is experiencing a manufacturing
resurgence. Companies see the benefit of locating their manufacturing
in areas with R&D and a high-tech workforce. Nearly 18 percent of
Silicon Valley jobs are in manufacturing, and these advanced
manufacturing jobs are high paying.
This bill will replicate some of the important qualities of Silicon
Valley across this Nation. It will build partnerships between
government, academia, and industry to address targeted manufacturing
challenges.
I applauded President Obama when he first proposed a network of
manufacturing innovation institutes, and I thank the cochairs of the
Manufacturing Caucus, Mr. Reed and Mr. Kennedy, for authoring this
legislation to authorize such a network.
I have worked with my Silicon Valley constituents to help build
strong bipartisan backing of this bill, and I am glad we are on the
floor considering it tonight. Hopefully, once this bill is enacted, we
can win one of these hubs for Silicon Valley to focus on
important challenges like developing the next generation of
semiconductor manufacturing tools.
This bill is an important step for countering the incentives that
other countries are offering American innovators and manufacturers to
relocate overseas. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2996 because it
will help revitalize American manufacturing. It is a game-changer.
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, with cosponsors and supporters in every corner of the
country and each side of the aisle, we must pass this bill and move
forward with a national manufacturing policy.
We are here today as part of a process that involved many, many
people. Last month, we held a markup in the full Science Committee,
adopting several amendments and addressing concerns from members on
both sides of the aisle.
Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, this bill represents how Congress is
designed to work, ideas from across the country coming together in
open, honest discussion to formulate policy that will move our country
forward.
I would like to mention the significant staff work of the House
leadership offices and the Science Committee for their tireless efforts
for bringing us to this point and echo some of the names that Chairman
Smith already mentioned.
From the Science majority, if I may, Jamie Brown, Cliff Shannon,
Kirsten Duncan, Chris Shank, Chris Weigel. From the minority staff,
Dick Obermann, Dahlia Sokolov, Marcy Gallo, Kim Montgomery, John
Piazza. From Congressman Reed's office, former staffer Laura Ringdahl
and Drew Wayne. From Senator Brown's office, Chris Slevin and Nora
Todd. From Senator Blunt's office, John Smedile and Tracy Henke. And
from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Jim
Schufreider.
Mr. Speaker, through the revitalization of our manufacturing
industry, we can provide access to a modern economy for millions of
Americans. Our
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manufacturing industries these days make far more than just the
cheapest widget and Cheetos.
By supporting partnerships between the private sector, government,
and academia, we can capitalize on the opportunity offered through
growing industry such as life sciences, biotech, precision
manufacturing, and many, many others.
I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BUCSHON. Mr. Speaker, a strong manufacturing base is fundamental
to U.S. economic success and national security. Again, manufacturing
supports millions of good-paying American jobs; and, for the millions
of Americans who are employed in the manufacturing field, that is what
matters most, good-paying, family-supporting, community-sustaining
jobs.
I urge my colleagues all to support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R.
2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act, a
bipartisan bill to boost American manufacturing, of which I am a
cosponsor and original supporter.
Not only do I support the intent of H.R. 2996, which would establish
a Network of Manufacturing Innovation and enable public- private
partnerships through Centers for Manufacturing Innovation, but it also
includes the text of a bill I introduced, the American Manufacturing
Competitiveness Act, H.R. 2447.
I believe that both measures are necessary to the continuing
revitalization of manufacturing in the United States, and I'm pleased
to see the House considering them today. 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 over 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.
The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act would
authorize a network of centers for manufacturing innovation, based upon
the concept of the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)
proposed the Administration. I have been a strong supporter of the NNMI
proposal from the outset, and am pleased Congress is taking action to
authorize these centers.
In fact, just a few months ago I was pleased to join in the
announcement of the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation
Institute in Chicago. This public-private initiative, hosted by the
University of Illinois offshoot Ul Labs, has leveraged a $70 million
federal investment to achieve a commitment of $250 million from
industry, academia, government and community partners that will harness
expertise and facilities to improve manufacturing processes and
innovation and design capabilities to a wide range of stakeholders. One
of the greatest attributes of these institutes will be the openness of
the system, allowing small- and medium-sized enterprises the
opportunity to use novel and often capital-intensive capabilities, such
as 3D printing and high-performance computing, to improve their product
lines, develop new innovations and make their factories more efficient.
Moreso, I believe that the deployment of these centers of
manufacturing innovation will help improve the competitiveness of
manufacturing across the nation. Using these high-tech facilities will
help attract more students to manufacturing and STEM careers, enable a
greater range of research and development on manufacturing processes
and products, and improve commercialization opportunities for firms
small and large. Other competing nations are making their own serious
investments in next-generation institutions and facilities in support
of their domestic industries, and it makes competitive sense for the
U.S. to leverage our capabilities, in concert with private and other
public entities, to make similar investments.
In addition and of particular note to me is Section 4 of this Act,
which includes the text of a bill I had introduced, the American
Manufacturing Competitiveness Act. This legislation would establish a
public-private process for assessing the current competitive state of
manufacturing in the United States, compare this against the policies
and status of manufacturing in competing nations, and propose measures
for the government and stakeholders to take in order to promote
manufacturing in the U.S. Based on the Quadrennial Defense Review, the
Pentagon's policy planning process, the bill proposes that a group of
manufacturing experts from the private and the public sectors would be
convened every four years to reassess the progress of American
manufacturing, and make new recommendations.
While I agree that manufacturing is by-and-large a private, market
endeavor, few can disagree that manufacturing intersects with
government policy in countless ways. From tax and trade, to regulation,
to research, education, and workforce development, government policies
have a significant effect on our manufacturers. It is essential that
the U.S. join many of its competing nations in assessing these policies
in a comprehensive fashion, rather than a silo-ed, piecemeal approach.
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 and implemented 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.
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 this legislation:
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?
I share Zach's view that we need an overarching plan, and I believe
that that the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act will achieve
that. This bill has garnered the endorsement of a wide range of
industry, labor and manufacturing organizations, indicating to me that
they share our view that a national manufacturing strategy will be
essential to moving American manufacturing competitiveness forward.
I would like to thank the numerous colleagues who have helped
shepherd my manufacturing strategy legislation along the way, helping
it to pass by overwhelming margins in the House during two prior
sessions. I appreciate the leadership of Congressmen Reed and Kennedy
in introducing this bill, and I'm pleased to have worked with them on
it. Congressman Adam Kinzinger has been a great partner in introducing
the manufacturing strategy legislation, while Chairman Lamar Smith and
Ranking Member Johnson were crucial to this bill moving through the
Science, Space and Technology Committee.
I am hopeful that we'll be able to achieve House and Senate passage
of H.R. 2996 before the end of this year, so that the Network of
Manufacturing Innovation and the manufacturing strategy process will
soon become reality. I strongly believe both will lead to greater
success of manufacturing in America, and with it, a better outlook for
our nation's middle class.
I thank my colleagues for the time and opportunity to speak on this
important legislation, and urge Members to support the passage of H.R.
2996.
Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in enthusiastic support of H.R.
2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act. As a
proud cosponsor of this bill, I am pleased that the House is
considering it today.
The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act (RAMI) will
help rebuild our nation's manufacturing capacity by creating public-
private partnerships that will foster an environment in which the
private sector is willing to invest in the strengths of our nation and
American manufacturing will grow.
I applauded President Obama when he first proposed the creation of a
National Network for Manufacturing Innovation to improve the
competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, stimulate research and
development, and increase domestic production. I supported his call for
additional centers beyond those he initially proposed, worked in the
Appropriations Committee to find funding for some centers, and have
suggested to the President that at least one institute should be
located in my Silicon Valley district.
Silicon Valley is known as the epicenter of technology and innovation
in the United States. What is not as widely recognized is the extent to
which Silicon Valley is also experiencing a manufacturing resurgence.
Nearly
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18 percent of Silicon Valley's jobs are in manufacturing, and that
number is growing--the local manufacturing sector is projected to grow
by 5 percent by 2018. These advanced manufacturing jobs are offering
higher pay than nonmanufacturing jobs. By being co-located with the
research and development Silicon Valley is known for, these
manufacturers are both boosting R&D investments and experiencing the
benefits of more control of their manufacturing processes, quicker
turnaround from research to product realization, higher quality, and
greater intellectual property security.
The Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act seeks to
replicate some of the important lessons from Silicon Valley around the
nation. RAMI will build public-private partnerships through Centers for
Manufacturing Innovation between higher education institutions and
community colleges, small and large manufacturers, and government to
promote best practices and address targeted advanced manufacturing
challenges. These advanced manufacturing hubs will also address the
skills gap by producing a next generation talent pool of skilled
production workers and engineers by focusing on education, workforce
training, research and development, and commercialization.
Despite its manufacturing successes, Silicon Valley still continues
to experience higher than average unemployment, partly a result of the
past outsourcing of manufacturing jobs due to low wages overseas and
incentives offered by foreign competitors. With the passage of the RAMI
Act, we can we look forward to hosting an advanced manufacturing hub,
potentially focused on enabling the transition to the next-generation
450 mm silicon wafer semiconductor manufacturing tools, which would
enable Silicon Valley to take advantage of its R&D excellence and
bolster its manufacturing sector in new ways, helping us to recover
some of those jobs lost to past outsourcing.
Over the past few years, I've been proud to work with House
Manufacturing Caucus Co-chairs Reps. Tom Reed and Joe Kennedy on this
authorization effort, along with Silicon Valley tech leaders and
university stakeholders. I appreciate the willingness of some of our
colleagues on the other side of the aisle who were key to building
bipartisan support for this effort, particularly my Chairman on the
Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Subcommittee Frank Wolf, to
talk with us about this legislation and to join as cosponsors of this
important bill.
Our competitors around the world are offering American innovators and
manufacturers a wide range of incentives to relocate overseas. The RAMI
Act will ensure that American innovation and technology development
remain at the top of the manufacturing sector, and I urge my colleagues
to support it.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 2996, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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