Manufacturing Update for July 2015

1. LATEST POLICY

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Sens. Warner, Blunt Lead Coalition in Introducing Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Roy Blunt (R-MO) led a bipartisan coalition of eleven Senators in introducing legislation to establish a new infrastructure financing authority to help states and localities better leverage private funds to build and maintain the nation’s outdated infrastructure. The Building and Renewing Infrastructure for Development and Growth in Employment (BRIDGE) Act helps to address the nation’s alarming investment shortfall in maintaining and improving our transportation network, water and wastewater systems and energy infrastructure. The legislation would provide an additional financing tool for states and localities to create new jobs here at home while also increasing our nation’s economic competitiveness.
More: Warner Release

Senate Passes Murphy ‘Buy American’ Amendment to Boost American Manufacturing
The U.S. Senate passed US Senator Chris Murphy’s amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that will increase Congressional oversight of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by requiring more transparency about DoD’s overuse of Buy American Act waivers through the “overseas use” loophole in the law. This Buy American Act loophole currently allows federal agencies to use American taxpayer dollars to purchase goods or services from foreign companies—more than $5 billion worth last year—to the detriment of American businesses.
More: Murphy Release

Peters, Stabenow, Alexander Introduce Vehicle Innovation Act
U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with Lamar Alexander (R-TN), introduced the bipartisan Vehicle Innovation Act (VIA) to promote investments in research and development of clean vehicle technologies that will create more fuel efficient vehicles, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and support American auto manufacturers. The Vehicle Innovation Act reauthorizes the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program, which works with light duty automobile and medium and heavy duty commercial truck manufacturers and suppliers to conduct research and development to improve fuel efficiency in vehicles.
More: Peters Release

Schakowsky, Durbin and Brown: Tax Credits should go to Companies that Invest in American Workers, Not Ship Jobs Overseas
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Sen. Dick Durbin (IL) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (OH) introduced the Patriot Employer Tax Credit Act, a bill that would provide a tax credit to companies that provide fair wages and good benefits to workers while closing a tax loophole that incentivizes corporations to send jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safety net programs to make ends meet. The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Raul Grijalva (AZ-03), Keith Ellison (MN-05), Bobby Rush (IL-01) and Senators Jack Reed (RI), Elizabeth Warren (MA), Bernie Sanders (VT) and Tammy Baldwin (WI).
More: Schakowsky Release 

Sen. Markey & Rep. Neal Partner to Create Jobs Rebuilding Crumbling Infrastructure, Boost Investment in Local Projects
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield) today introduced the Bolstering Our Nation’s Deficient Structures (BONDS) Act, legislation that would create jobs helping to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure. The BONDS Act provides financing tools to state and local governments to help build bridges, roads, schools and other local critical infrastructure projects. Patterned after the successful Build America Bonds program created in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the BONDS Act would allow a state or local government to issue a bond to make a public investment while the federal government provides a subsidy to that state or local government to help pay the interest on the bond. The BONDS Act will revive the Build America Bonds program and make it permanent.
More: Markey Release

Hirono Authors Clean Energy Legislation
Senator Mazie K. Hirono introduced a package of energy bills this week that highlight her commitment to spurring innovation and investment in clean energy in Hawaii and across the country. Included in this package is the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act (S. 1263)that will help small and medium sized clean technology businesses find new markets in the United States and around the world by creating a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund administered by the International Trade Administration.
More: Hirono Release

Kaine Reintroduces Middle STEP Act to Create CTE Pilot Program in Middle Schools
U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, along with U.S. Senators Mark Warner, Barbara Boxer, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Bob Casey, introduced the Middle School Technical Education Program (Middle STEP) Act that would expose middle school students to CTE programs focused on career exploration.
More: Kaine Release

Merkley, Cartwright Introduce Bill to Create Green Jobs, Boost Manufacturing
Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Matt Cartwright (D-PA) announced the introduction of the Job Creation through Energy Efficient Manufacturing Act in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would create jobs and save money for manufacturers by putting people to work retrofitting manufacturing facilities to be more energy efficient. 
More: Merkley Release

Competitiveness Caucus Launches: Bringing Congress Together to Make America More Competitive in the 21st Century
The hallmark of our nation’s economy has long been the ability of anyone with creativity, ambition and a good work ethic to realize their dreams and move America forward. From the light bulb to the iPhone, the legacy of American invention has shone brightly throughout the world. Yet while our culture of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit remain strong, the policy framework that empowers that spirit to flourish is losing its competitive edge. We now find ourselves at a competitive inflection point. We can either do more to nurture and take advantage of our strengths — only some of which we’ve mentioned — or we can fall behind in the 21st century. In order to support our competitive strengths, we’re launching the bipartisan Senate Competitiveness Caucus, a forum to bring together Democrats and Republicans to address the most pressing issues facing our economy. 
More: Roll Call

Export-Import Bank’s Cloudy Future Raises Worries of Job Losses
To kill the Export-Import Bank, all that House Republican leaders opposing it have to do is let the bank’s charter expire Tuesday — and they are leaving Friday for the Fourth of July recess without even holding a vote to reauthorize it.The 81-year-old federal agency that helps companies sell their products abroad has been a prime target of conservatives, who want to reduce the size of government and eliminate what they call crony capitalism. Shutting the bank’s tap, though, also would eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, say business executives, trade groups and the Obama administration.
More: LA Times

How Best to Measure an American-Made Auto?
This week, Cars.com released its annual American-Made Index, which rates – you guessed it – just how Made in America many popular car models are. What ranked at the top? The Toyota Camry, which is assembled in Kentucky and Indiana. That stands in contrast to another list, produced by American University’s Kogod School of Business, that attempts to answer the same question. The 2015 Made in America Auto Index determined that the most American-made car out there was a six-way tie between a number of GM models – the Buick Enclave, Cadillac CTS, and Chevrolet Corvette among them. So why the discrepancy? The difference is in the details.
More: Alliance for American Manufacturing Post

Five Contentious Issues In Upcoming UAW Talks
Contract talks between the Detroit automakers and the United Auto Workers union get underway next week. Here are five contentious issues to watch as the talks head toward a Sept. 14 contract expiration date.
More: Manufacturing.net

Don’t Blame the Robots for Lost Manufacturing Jobs
In a recent blog we described new research by George Graetz and Guy Michaels that shows the impact of automation technology in productivity statistics. So now there is good evidence that robots are a driver of economic growth. However, this new evidence poses a question: Has productivity growth from robots come at the cost of manufacturing jobs?
More: Brookings Institute

The Skills Gap? More Like the Grand Canyon
These days, getting accepted into Harvard University is slightly easier than finding an industrial maintenance technologist to troubleshoot a complex machine communication problem. In 2013, according to U.S. News and World Report, Harvard had an acceptance rate of 5.7 %. But if you put to work all recent industrial technology maintenance grads, you’d only fill 5.5 % of the available jobs in five of the leading manufacturing states, says James Wall, executive director of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS).
More: Industry Week

The Senator’s Week Ahead Schedule for July 14-17

Monday, July 13 at 10 a.m. – The Senator will attend Congressman John Carney’s first “Veterans Office Hours” event. Congressman Carney’s office has created a series of veteran focused events for the month of July, bringing together the Wilmington VA (medical and benefits sides), a variety of veterans service organizations, the Commission on Veterans Affairs, and delegation offices so that veterans who need assistance, can get help they are looking for. Other locations and dates for Veteran’s Office Hours are Monday, July 20 in Dover (Fox Post American Legion) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.; and Monday, July 27 at the Millsboro American Legion from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Open to press. Contact Albert Shields at 302. 561.5043.

Tuesday, July 14 at 11:45 a.m. — The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at the 19^th Annual Green Chemistry and Engineering Conference. As the longest running green chemistry conference in the United States, GC&E invites scientists, decision-makers, students, and advocates to come together, compare findings, and discuss the science of the future. Bethesda North Marriott Hotel, 5701 Marinelli Road, Bethesda, MD. Open to press. Contact Amanda Nurmi at 202.872.6170.

Tuesday, July 14 at 3:30 p.m. — The Senator will attend a Small Business Committee hearing entitled “Challenges and Opportunities for Small Businesses Engaged in Energy Development and Energy Intensive Manufacturing.” Senate Russell 428A, Washington, D.C. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Friday, July 17 at 11:30 a.m. — The Senator will meet with the proprietors of David Bromberg Violins and tour the American Violin Collection that will be donated to the American Library of Congress. Open to press. 601 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.650.7858

Week Ahead Schedule for June 22-25

Monday, June 22 at 9 a.m. — The Senator will host Ex-Im Bank Chairman and President Fred Hochberg and will visit with New Castle-based companies Voight & Schweitzer as well as Acrow Bridge. They will discuss the importance of the Ex-Im Bank and how they continue to assist small businesses by filling gaps in private export financing. Voight & Schweitzer, 511 Carroll Drive, New Castle, DE. Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.650.7858.

Tuesday, June 23 at 10 a.m. — The Senator will attend an Appropriations subcommittee hearing of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development subcommittee. Senate Dirksen 128, Washington, D.C. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Tuesday, June 23 at 10:30 a.m. — The Senator will attend the Appropriations subcommittee of Financial Services and General Government hearing on the recent Office of Personnel Management data breach. Senate Dirksen 125, Washington, D.C. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Tuesday, June 23 at 2 p.m. — The Senator will host a briefing of Human Rights Caucus “The Crisis in Sudan: Prospects for Justice and Peace.” March 2015 marked ten years since the UN Security Council referred the situation in Sudan to the International Criminal Court (ICC). In 2003-2004, the Sudanese government and Janjaweed militias pursued an ethnic cleansing campaign in the Darfur region that claimed an estimated 300,000 lives and displaced over 2 million people. Senate Russell 188, Washington, D.C. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Tuesday, June 23 at 2:30 p.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks to Hill interns as part of the Summer Intern Lecture Series. The series is hosted by the Senate and House Rules Committees and provides an opportunity for interns to hear from prominent political figures. Speakers typically share details about their personal experiences, advice for interns, and take questions. The speakers are made up of Members of Congress, journalists, Cabinet Secretaries, administration officials, and Supreme Court Justices. Senate Visitors Center 212-10. Event is closed to press.

Wednesday, June 24 at 9 a.m. – The Senator will attend a steering committee on voting rights. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  The discussion will bring together civil rights and advocacy groups to discuss ways to reduce barriers in voter registration and turnout, as well as the Voting Rights Amendment Act, the legislative response to the 2013 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder.” Senate Room 207 Mansfield Room, Washington, DC. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Wednesday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will deliver remarks at the opening dinner of the Railroad Council Convention. Baltimore Hilton, Baltimore, MD. Event is not open to press.

Thursday, June 25 at 6:30 p.m. The Senator will attend the Lessons & Legacy of the Civil Rights Movement – Conversations with Congressman John Lewis and Peggy Wallace Kennedy. Honorary co-hosts include Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL), Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL). This evening offers an opportunity to continue Congressional conversations on lessons and legacies from the spiritual energies of the civil rights movement. House Visitors Center, Washington, DC. Open to press.

Sen. Coons Weekly Schedule June 15-19

Monday, June 15 at 7 p.m. — The Senator will perform in “Will on the Hill,” The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual benefit. Each spring, STC welcomes Members of Congress, Senators, and distinguished Washington insiders onto the Company’s stage to perform scenes from Shakespeare—infused with comedic references to contemporary politics. Will on the Hill pays tribute to the unique dynamic of Washington, DC and provides a wonderful way to engage new audiences and support the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic, education and community outreach programs. Sydney Harmon Hall, 610 F. Street NW, Washington, D.C. 

Wednesday, June 17 at 2 p.m. – The Senator will attend Senate Foreign Relations Committee nomination hearing for Ms. Gayle Smith, of Ohio, to be Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development. Senate Dirksen Building, Room 419, Washington, DC. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Tuesday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend The White House Congressional Picnic. This year’s theme is “malt shop.” 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC. Closed to press.

Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend and will be recognized by the United States Global Leadership Coalition at their 2015 Tribute Dinner honoring outstanding champions of America’s leadership in the world. The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world. Ritz Carlton, 1150 22^nd Street NW, Washington, DC. Open to press. Contact: Sidney Traynham at 202-730-4136.

Friday, June 19 at 8:30 a.m. – The Senator will deliver remarks at the Emergency Poultry Disease Response (EPDR) Program at the University of Delaware. The certificate program is aimed at teaching both local and international participants about preparedness planning, biosecurity and assessment, and rapid response techniques and technology with regard to avian disease outbreaks.Allen Laboratory, 531 South College Avenue, University of Delaware, Newark, DE. Opened to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.650.7858.

The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons June 8-12

Monday, June 8 at 9 a.m. — The Senator will deliver remarks to volunteers from US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development and Milford Housing Corporation, to celebrate National Homeownership Month as well as 50 years of USDA-RD Self Help Housing. Volunteers will include USDA and Congressional staff, as well as community volunteers and self-help families. 12555 Deer Forrest Road, Bridgeville, DE. – Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.650.7858.

Monday, June 8 at 11:30 a.m. — The Senator will join USDA Acting Deputy Under Secretary Vernita Dore and USDA Rural Development State Director Bill McGowan to announce a $300,000 grant to the Town of Smyrna. Rural Development funds will be used to establish a revolving loan program. The initial loan will be used to construct and renovate the building that will be occupied and opening soon as the “Inn at Duck Creek” and will provide areas for public use. 2 North Main Street, Smyrna, DE. Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.650.7858.

Tuesday, June 9 at 11 a.m. – The Senator will attend and deliver remarks at “Children’s Hospitals: Looking Beyond the Walls of the Clinic to Keep Children Healthy.” The event, hosted by Nemours and other agencies, will discuss  how their respective children’s health systems have developed innovative approaches that go beyond the clinical setting to promote health in the places that children live, learn and play.  A common thread in these initiatives is the role that public-private partnerships have played in catalyzing important work to improve child health and well-being. Senate Visitors Center 203-2, Washington, DC. Open to press. Contact Chris Manning (Nemours) at 302.298.7309.

Tuesday, June 9 at 2:30 p.m. – The Senator will attend Senate Foreign Relations Committee business meeting to discuss nominations for Ambassador posts including Ms. Azita Raji, of California, to be Ambassador to Sweden, Ms. Nancy Bikoff Pettit, of Virginia, to be Ambassador to Latvia, Mr. Gregory T. Delawie, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Kosovo and others. Senate Dirksen 419, Washington, D.C. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Wednesday, June 10 at 9 a.m. – The Senator will attend a Steering Committee Meeting on Economic Impacts of and Solutions to Climate Change. The discussion will bring together environmental leaders from across the country to discuss the specific economic costs of not addressing climate change. Senate Room 207. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Wednesday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend Appropriations markup for Commerce, Justice and Science. Senate Dirksen Room 192. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Wednesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. – The Senator will introduce Governor Jack Markell at the Keystone Awards Dinner. Governor Markell will receive Keystone’s Leadership in Government award. Since 1994, Keystone Policy Center has proudly honored exemplary leaders and decision-makers who embody the Center’s belief that lasting results are crafted by considering diverse perspectives and building consensus. Honorees are selected for their leadership, vision, outstanding problem-solving skills and efforts to seek consensus-based solutions to challenging issues. The Newseum, Washington, DC. Closed to press.

Thursday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. – The Senator will attend the Appropriations full committee markup for Defense, Commerce, Justice and Science and Legislative Branch of government. The program includes: Markup of the “Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2016,” Markup of the “Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016,” and Markup of the “Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2016.” Senate Dirksen Room 106. Open to press. Contact Sean Coit at 202.224.0351.

Friday, June 12, at 8 a.m. – The Senator will deliver remarks at Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Shining Light Awards. The DBCC will recognize Sussex County Chapter Women’s Council of Realtors, survivor Jacquie Connell, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center and Delmarva Broadcasting Company of Central Delaware. Chase Center on the Riverfront, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Contact Beth Krallis  302.778.1102.

Friday, June 12 at 12 p.m. – The Senator will deliver keynote remarks at ITWorks graduation ceremony. This is ITWorks’s 13^th graduating class and 6th for Delaware. ITWORKS is an award-winning IT training program that is free of charge to young adults. Over 16 weeks, students earn up to two professional IT certifications and gain on-the-job experience during a five-week internship at leading corporations and nonprofits. Capital One’s Oliver Evans Building, 301 W 11th Street, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Contact Becca Johnson 302.256-5015 x112.

The Week Ahead for Senator Chris Coons for May 26-28

Tuesday, May 26 at 12:30 p.m. — The Senator will host Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Member of President Obama’s Cabinet, on a small business walking tour/owner meet-and-greet along downtown Wilmington’s Market Street commercial corridor. The tour highlights downtown Wilmington’s entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the accessibility of SBA resources and how they can help small businesses start and grow. La Fia, 421 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE. – Open to press. Contact: Brian P. Cunningham at 302.573.6054.

Wednesday, May 27 at 9 a.m. – The Senator will deliver remarks at the ground breaking of initial phase of The Flats, a new construction project by the Todmorden Foundation that will benefit low-income persons as well as people with disabilities. The event will conclude with a $500,000 grant presentation from Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh and their member institution, WSFS. 500 North Bancroft Parkway, Wilmington, DE. Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.573.6054.

Thursday, May 28 at 9 a.m. – The Senator will visit Crystal Steel Fabricators and talk with workers about their most recent projects. Founded in 1992, Crystal Steel Fabricators, Inc. has grown from a single site in Delmar, DE to global scope. It has been an AISC Certified Fabricator for over 14 years, now carrying Fracture Critical, Bridge Component Standard and Sophisticated Paint Endorsements in addition to Steel Building Structures certification. It serves the largest and most sophisticated clients in the industry including Bechtel, Bovis Lend Lease, Gilbane, Skanska, Holder, HESS, Turner, Clark, Jacobs, CAM, Hensel-Phelps and Whiting-Turner, delivering steel to jobsites up and down the East Coast.  Open to press. Contact Brian P. Cunningham at 302.573.6054. 

Thursday, May 28 at 2 p.m. — The Senator will visit with USDA Rural Development Director Dr. Bill McGowan for a walking tour and discussion of recent federal grants the town of Laurel received. Grants include Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) for $38,000 for planning study for a commercial business park and a Preliminary Planning Grant (PPG) for $24,000 to complete an engineering report for a well in town. Laurel, DE, address. – Open to press. Contact: Brian P. Cunningham 302.650.7858. 

Manufacturing Update for April/May 2015

1. LATEST POLICY

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Manufacturing Jobs for America – A Plan for Jobs and Growth
Americans have come a long way from the depths of the Great Recession. Our businesses have created 12.1 million jobs over the past 61 months – the longest sustained stretch of job creation in our nation’s history – and a key driver of that economic recovery has been a sector that helped build this country’s middle class – manufacturing. Still, while American manufacturing is newly resurgent, there’s much more we can do to build on its momentum. That’s why last Congress we started a campaign called Manufacturing Jobs for America (MJA) to focus on four key issues: investing in America’s workforce, expanding access to capital, opening up markets abroad for American goods, and crafting a national manufacturing strategy. As a country, we need to invest in American manufacturing and in American workers, and Manufacturing Jobs for America is our best chance to do that in Congress.
More: Op-Ed in Republic 3.0, Baldwin Release

Donnelly Joins Bipartisan Effort to Introduce Reauthorization of Ex-Im Bank
U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, who serves on the Senate Banking Committee, joined colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that would reform and reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.  Donnelly — along with U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-IL), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Mark Warner (D-VA)— introduced legislation late Thursday that would reauthorize the Bank’s charter until September 30, 2019 and implement several reforms.
More: Donnelly Release

Murphy Introduces Bill to Incentivize Investment in Startup Businesses
U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) joined Congressmen Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and Patrick Murphy (D-Fl.) to announce the introduction of the Angel Tax Credit Act, a bill that would provide investors with further incentive to invest significant capital in startup businesses. 
More: Murphy Release

Baldwin, Kaine and Portman Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Career Readiness in Schools
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH), co-chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, introduced the Career Ready Act of 2015, legislation that would help ensure students are college and career-ready by strengthening school counseling programs and encouraging states to keep track of career readiness factors implemented in school districts.
More: Baldwin Release

2. OTHER NEWS

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Coons Knows Manufacturing Push Needs GOP Support
Sen. Chris Coons has started a matchmaking service. No, not a dating app. The Delaware Democrat is working with Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., to spearhead an effort to bring together Republican and Democratic senators interested in manufacturing jobs — and he’s even discussed the subject in a one-on-one meeting with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
More: Roll Call Article

New MIT Report Details Benefits of Investment in Basic Research
MIT released a report in which faculty and other researchers detail specific impacts, within their fields, of declining federal investment in basic research. The report — “The Future Postponed: Why Declining Investment in Basic Research Threatens a U.S. Innovation Deficit” — was prepared by a committee of MIT researchers and research administrators. Examining how funding cutbacks will affect the future of scientific studies in the U.S., the report highlights opportunities in basic research that could help shape and maintain U.S. economic power, and benefit society.
More: MIT Release

MEP Competition Aims to Strengthen Small Manufacturing
Nonprofit organizations can now compete for $320 million in public and private funding to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers in 12 key states. It’s all part of a national effort to expand technology, innovation, and workforce development services to small manufacturers and bring new American-made products to market.
More: American Alliance for Manufacturing Release

NIST and NSF Partner to Launch Industry-University Consortium to Provide Input on National Advanced Manufacturing Research and Development Priorities
The U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced today that they will establish a consortium to provide private?sector input on national advanced manufacturing research and development priorities. NSF has released a solicitation, calling for applications from organizations to administer the consortium through a cooperative agreement.
More: NIST Release

GM to Spend $5.4 Billion in US Factory Makeovers
General Motors announced $5.4 billion in new U.S. plant upgrades over the next three years, including in three sites in Michigan, the traditional hub of the U.S. auto industry. The biggest investment outlined is $520 million for a site near Lansing to build tools and equipment for GM’s future vehicle programs. The move will retain 1,900 jobs at the site, the company’s newest plant in North America, the automaker said.
More: IndustryWeek Release

Obama Administration Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Rules to Implement the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed by President Obama on July 22, 2014, is the first major reform to federal job training programs in more than 15 years. WIOA is designed to improve the coordination of employment and training services across federal agencies, strengthen collaboration with state and local partners, and provide Americans with increased access to training, education and other support to succeed in the job market and in their careers. Today, the departments of Labor and Education announced five Notices of Proposed Rulemaking to implement WIOA and seek public comment.
More: Department of Labor Release

Steel Industry CEOs Warn of a Possible Sectoral Collapse Due to Surging Imports
CEOs from the country’s largest and most important steel companies along with an executive from the nation’s top industrial union were on Capitol Hill on March 26 and used the opportunity to raise alarms about surging steel imports. The situation, they told the Steel Caucus in a unified voice, is far worse than anything they have seen in a generation, as foreign nations, awash in 638 million tons of excess capacity, dump subsidized steel into the United States, the world’s most open market.
More: Manufacturing and Technology News