U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), both members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, have introduced a bipartisan bill named the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act. This proposed legislation seeks to amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act by aligning the timelines for various advanced manufacturing initiatives to a unified four-year cycle.
Senator Budd stated, “Unleashing the next generation of technological innovation will make Americans’ everyday lives easier, create new jobs, and help American companies stay competitive in the global market.” He emphasized North Carolina’s leadership in advanced manufacturing due to its talented workforce. “I am proud to partner with my colleague, Senator Blunt Rochester,” he added.
Senator Blunt Rochester remarked on her career-long focus on strengthening American manufacturing. She noted that this bipartisan act is crucial for creating jobs and reducing costs nationwide. “This bill will ensure everyone can be on the same page and cut unnecessary red tape across the American manufacturing sector,” she said.
Franz Wuerfmannsdobler, Executive Director of the U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Council, expressed support for the bill: “The U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Council welcomes the introduction of the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act.”
Currently, there is a discrepancy between planning cycles as outlined by existing legislation; Manufacturing USA Strategic Plan updates occur every three years while the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing follows a four-year cycle. The new act aims to align these timelines for better goal setting and collaboration among stakeholders.
