1. LATEST POLICY
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Peters Remanufacturing Bill Signed into Law by President
President Obama has signed into law legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters, the Federal Vehicle Repair Cost Savings Act, which requires federal agencies to encourage the use of remanufactured parts in federal vehicle repairs when doing so lowers costs, maintains quality and performance and does not compromise safety. Peters introduced the legislation with Republican Senator Jim Lankford (OK), and Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-2) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
More: Peters Release
Murphy Introduces 21st Century Buy American Act to Support American Manufacturers
While visiting Ansonia, Connecticut’s American Precision Manufacturing, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced the introduction of his 21st Century Buy American Act. The 21st Century Buy American Act will strengthen existing Buy American standards to ensure that the U.S. government prioritizes the purchase of American-made goods. The legislation will comprehensively reform the outdated Buy American Act, which was signed into law more than 80 years ago.
More: Murphy Release
Warner, Portman, and Collins Bill to Provide Regulatory Relief for Businesses and Workers Advances in the Senate
U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced that their bipartisan legislation requiring independent agencies to analyze the costs and benefits of new regulations and tailor new rules to minimize unnecessary burdens on the economy has passed out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Portman and Warner are the co-authors of this legislation and Collins is an original cosponsor.
More: Warner Release
Trans-Pacific Partnership Is Reached, but Faces Scrutiny in Congress
The United States, Japan and 10 other Pacific Rim nations on Monday reached final agreement on the largest regional trade accord in history, teeing up what could be the toughest fight President Obama will face in his final year in office: securing approval from Congress.
More: New York Times
Statement by the President on the Trans-Pacific Partnership
I’ve spent every day of my presidency fighting to grow our economy and strengthen our middle class. That means making sure our workers have a fair shot to get ahead here at home, and a fair chance to compete around the world. My approach to trade has been guided by a unifying principle: leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses, so we can export more products stamped Made in America all over the world that support higher-paying American jobs here at home.
More: White House Release
House Bipartisan Petition Forces Vote on Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization
A majority of House lawmakers took a rare procedural move to force a vote later this month on reauthorizing the U.S. Export-Import Bank, a blow to conservative Republicans who want to close the trade bank.
More: Wall Street Journal
The Largest Apprenticeship Investment in U.S. History
Since Day One, the Obama administration has been focused on building a training and workforce system that serves job seekers and job creators alike. We’re empowering people with the tools to punch their ticket to the middle class, while giving employers a pipeline of skilled workers so they can grow and compete in the 21st-century economy.
More: Department of Labor Release
Senators Baldwin, Coons Recognize National Manufacturing Day on Senate Floor
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) spoke on the Senate floor to recognize National Manufacturing Day. Senator Al Franken (D-Minn.) also joined Senators Coons and Baldwin on the floor in support. National Manufacturing Day occurs on the first Friday of October every year and is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers.
More: Baldwin Release
2. OTHER NEWS
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On National Manufacturing Day, U.S. Industry Nears Upswing
Though recent industrial data have left little room for celebration among U.S. manufacturers, scores of production plants across the country are switching up their daily routines Friday, opening factory doors to students, parents and politicians in recognition of National Manufacturing Day.
More: U.S. News & World Report
U.S. Commerce Secretary Visits Delaware Manufacturers
When asked what attracts young people to careers in manufacturing, Hodgson Vo-tech senior Anthony Dominelli offered his own experience. “Honestly, I never heard of a millwright until I went to school at Hodgson,” he said. “But now I love it and it’s what I want to do for a living.”
More: Delaware Online
Senator Stabenow Celebrates Manufacturing Day With Local Students at Detroit Manufacturing Systems
In celebration of Manufacturing Day, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow delivered remarks at Detroit Manufacturing Systems, which opened its doors to hundreds of students, parents and educators on Friday, October 2. School groups had the opportunity to tour the plant and learn about career opportunities in manufacturing.
More: Stabenow Release
ICYMI: Senator Coons’ oped: Manufacturing Can be Transformed in Delaware
Almost every day, I ride Amtrak between Wilmington and Washington, D.C., and each day out the window, I see the site of the old Chrysler plant in Newark. Each time I see it, I think about being there 15 years ago when I first ran for public office, introducing myself to thousands of hard-working employees. Some of those men and women had just graduated from high school and others had been there for decades, but they all shared one thing in common: they had good-paying, steady manufacturing jobs.
More: Coons Release
On National Manufacturing Day, Senator Gillibrand Tours Defelsko Corp; Pushes for New Legislation to Boost Advanced Manufacturing & Workforce Development
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand marked National Manufacturing Day and toured DeFelsko Corporation. Friday [was] National Manufacturing Day, a celebration of modern manufacturing intended to inspire young Americans to learn STEM skills and pursue careers in advanced manufacturing.
More: Gillibrand Release
On Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin to Deliver Call to Action for Wisconsin Manufacturing
On the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin use[d] the kick-off of National Manufacturing Day and Wisconsin Manufacturing Month to deliver a call to action for our manufacturing economy.
More: Baldwin Release
Senator Coons, Representative Massie highlight Problems With Patent Reform Bills in Google Hangout Event
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) participated in a bipartisan online Google Hangout to discuss their concerns with patent legislation (S. 1137 and H.R. 9) currently under consideration in Congress. Patent expert Gene Quinn moderated the discussion and the members took questions from online viewers via Twitter.
More: Coons Release
Blumenthal, Murphy, Courtney, Applaud $6 Million from U.S. DOL to Fund Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-2) today applauded $6 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor to support the Eastern Connecticut Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative.
More: Blumenthal Release
Senator Markey, Mayor Walsh Announce $3 Million Federal Grant to Support Construction and Hospitality Careers
Friday, October 2, 2015 – Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Senator Edward J. Markey today announced a $3 million grant from the Obama Administration to expand apprenticeship opportunities in construction and hospitality through the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development. The City’s award, part of the $175 million American Apprenticeship Grant program, will serve 394 participants seeking to advance careers in the construction and hospitality sectors.
More: Markey Release
Following Job Loss at Lima’s Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, Brown, Portman, and Jordan Announce More than $3 Million in Federal Resources to Support Manufacturing in Allen County
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH-4) today announced that, following their letters in support of Phase Two grant funding for Allen County, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Economic Adjustment has awarded $3,013,590 to the county. Allen County qualified for this grant due to job loss at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center (JSMC) in Lima.
More: Brown Release
Cardin, Mikulski, Delaney Announce More Than $600,000 in Federal Funds to Educate Hagerstown Community College Students in Advanced Manufacturing
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, together with U.S. Representative John Delaney (all D-Md.), today announced that the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the Hagerstown Community College (HCC) $617,648 to support the development of a new advanced manufacturing technology degree program, an industrial technology certificate program and a basic electronics certificate program.
More: Cardin Release
The $100,000 job: Be an Apprentice
Mike Taylor may represent the bridge to America’s job skills gap. He went to a 4-year college and then waited tables at a restaurant even as he struggled to pay off college loans. Two years later, he did what many Americans are doing less and less: he became an apprentice. There are 5.8 million job openings in the United States — a record high number. It’s a positive, and indicates that companies are hiring. But hidden behind the huge number of job openings is the fact many Americans don’t have the skills to fill them.
More: CNN