WASHINGTON, DC – House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn today released the following statement on the passage of three bills that are part of the House Democrats’ “Make it in America Agenda,” which will help U.S. manufacturers compete at home and abroad, create jobs, and benefit the environment—H.R. 4692, the National Manufacturing Strategy Act, H.R. 5156, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, and H.R. 1875, the End the Trade Deficit Act.
“Today, the House of Representatives passed three bills to ensure that the American manufacturing industry would remain strong for generations to come. Because when we make things in America, we create jobs to lead the world economy. While Republicans continue to promote the same failed Bush economic policies that resulted in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, Democrats are committed to creating jobs and ensuring that American workers and manufacturers have resources necessary to make it in America.
“The National Manufacturing Strategy Act, H.R. 4692, requires that the President establish a Manufacturing Strategy Board within the Department of Commerce every 4 years to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the manufacturing industry. This analysis will cover a range of issues from trade to financing to the defense industry, and will provide a foundation for the board to develop a strategy of short and long-term goals to improve the industry and provide recommendations on how to achieve these goals. By developing a National Manufacturing Strategy, American manufacturers both large and small will have the ability to compete on a global scale and have the tools and resources necessary to maximize production, create jobs and strengthen the American economy.
“The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, H.R. 5156 takes steps to ensure that the future of U.S. manufacturing is economically strong and environmentally friendly. This legislation would create a $15 million fund to support the development and implementation of a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance needed to be competitive in a global market. This legislation also promotes policies to reduce the cost of production and encourage investment in clean energy technology here at home.
“The End the Trade Deficit Act, H.R. 1875 establishes an ‘Emergency Trade Deficit Commission’ to examine the nature, causes and consequences of the U.S. trade deficit and make recommendations on reducing trade imbalances. The Commission’s work will provide added momentum for Democrat’s efforts to address the trade deficit and strengthen U.S. manufacturing.”