Congressman Frank Wolf

Representing the 10th District of Virginia

Job Creation

With unemployment hovering around 7 percent, Congress must find ways to support job creation. I believe that one important way to improve our economy is to rebuild our manufacturing sector and bring manufacturing jobs back to America.

NEW ONLINE TOOL TO BOOST AMERICAN MANUFACTURING

I recently announced the launch of  a new online tool that I directed the U.S. Department of Commerce to create to help American businesses get better data on the “hidden costs” of outsourcing jobs to countries like China. By helping businesses make better decisions, we can keep more jobs in
the U.S. – and encourage firms to bring jobs back home.  
 
The Assess Costs Everywhere (ACE) tool details the costs and risks associated with offshore production and provides testimony from business owners who decided to bring their manufacturing back to America.  I am excited about this new resource and its potential to help business owners understand the benefits of bringing jobs home. 
 
The ACE tool is available at acetool.commerce.gov.   

According to a Boston Consulting Group survey, some of the largest U.S. based manufacturers have already brought jobs back to America or are considering bringing jobs back to America.  In the past, companies were focused on outsourcing jobs to other countries but now the conversation is changing. Due to high production costs and the increasing cost of labor in countries like China, companies are now interested in bringing jobs home. I introduced legislation last year that would help manufacturing companies accomplish this goal. To read more about the survey click here.

HEARINGS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

In March 2012, I hosted a thematic hearing looking at the decline of the U.S. manufacturing sector and its consequences for American competitiveness in the 21st Century.
 
  • Testimony of Niall Ferguson, Laurence A. Tisch Professor of History at Harvard University
  • Testimony of Mr. Scott Paul, executive director, Alliance for American Manufacturing
  • Testimony of Mr. Jim Phillips, chairman and CEO, NanoMech
  • Testimony of Mr. Harry Moser, founder, Reshoring Initiative
  • Testimony of The Honorable Dr. Patrick Gallagher, director, National Institute of Standard and Technology
  • Testimony of The Honorable Dr. Subra Suresh, director, National Science Foundation
 

Directing the Commerce Department to Focus on Bringing Jobs Back to the U.S.:

Legislative Information

Floor Statements

As chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Commerce Department, I have repeatedly included language in the annual Appropriations bills for the Commerce Department directing the department to develop a comprehensive plan aimed at bringing manufacturing and other jobs back to America.

Among these efforts -- first begun in the FY 2012 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill and continued into FY 2013 and FY 2014 – are requirements that the Commerce Department:

  • Develop an online calculator for firms to use to determine “hidden costs” of offshoring manufacturing such as shipping or security costs.
  • Provide $5 million in Economic Development Agency (EDA) grant money to be used to encourage U.S. companies to bring their services, manufacturing, and/or research and development activities back to economically distressed regions in the U.S.
  • Provide $5 million in federal loan guarantees to small and medium-sized manufacturers for the use or production of innovative technologies. 
  • Hire staff who can translate trade documents received from China to deal with challenges associated with enforcing existing trade laws.
  • Fully funds the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate, verify and enforce trade agreements that are free and fair

These bills have incorporated much of my bipartisan Bring Jobs Back to America bill (H.R. 516) introduced in the 111th and 112th Congresses.

The Virginian-Pilot

June 17, 2011
 
"The Warner-Wolf bill would allow states to substantially increase the dollar amount of incentives they offer to move jobs back onshore. That'll be good for any company that creates new jobs...Even so, it's a start. And new jobs create more new jobs. With the economy showing signs of stalling again, such an incentive can only help."

Increasing Exports

Congressman Wolf

As chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Commerce Department, I have fought for export promotion by providing resources for American companies to access new markets and by holding violators accountable for unfair trade practices. I helped to set – and achieve – the goals of increasing U.S. exports and better coordinating our response to unfair trade practices.
 
I also helped to create one-stop shops for trade promotion, American Trading Centers in China to assist American exporters, expanded Market Access Compliance in China, and developed the Office of China Compliance to address anti-dumping concerns.
 
I have also worked to strengthen our greatest asset in export promotion -- the worldwide network of the Foreign Commercial Service.  The Foreign Commercial Service provides information, referral and follow-up services through a global field network. This work is especially important now, because it translates into jobs, and it increases the competitiveness of American industry. By increasing the number of U.S. firms that export and enabling them to increase their volume of exports, new jobs will be created.
 
In 2010, I spoke to a packed room of northern Virginia business owners about tapping into the global marketplace to help create jobs here. Former Commerce Secretary Locke joined us in Leesburg at Precision Tune Auto Care to discuss how the U.S. Export Assistance Center in northern Virginia can support small- and medium-sized manufacturers to start exporting abroad. I am pleased to have continued these efforts with Locke's successors at Commerce. 

Maintaining Our Competitive Edge

I believe sound investments in our high technology economy are critical to maintain our competitive advantage in today’s global economy and create American jobs. Education is also a critical component of any sustainable economy. We should incentivize and encourage young Americans to study math and science so that we can be international pioneers of new technology and design. Visit my American Competitiveness page for more information on my work to create jobs through investments in research and development, math, science and engineering.
 
 
 

More on Job Creation

Wolf: It's Time To Bring Manufacturing Jobs Back Home

June 17, 2014

Wolf Reintroduces Major Job Creation Initiative

January 26, 2011

Wolf Introduces Major Jobs Initiative

July 29, 2010