100th MEMBER JOINS HOUSE MANUFACTURING CAUCUS
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tim Ryan and Congressman Tom Reed, co-Chairs of the House Manufacturing Caucus, are happy to announce that with the addition of Congressman Joe Kennedy III (MA—4), the Caucus has now reached 100 members. Founded in 2003 by Congressman Ryan and Congressman Don Manzullo of Illinois—the House Manufacturing Caucus works to provide the vision and tools for manufacturing to prosper across the nation. The Caucus also highlights the vital role American manufacturing plays in the U.S. economy as well as educates members and their staff on ways Congress can work together to ensure that America remains the most successful competitor in global manufacturing.
“The House Manufacturing Caucus reaching 100 members is more than a milestone; it signifies an expansive and expanding opportunity to educate staff and members on the importance of manufacturing,” said Congressman Tim Ryan. “We have to formulate manufacturing policies that will ensure our domestic defense capabilities, make sure our workforce is trained to fill the jobs of the future, and educate our children to build robots, design and produce new products with cutting-edge technology like 3D printers. A large and diverse membership on the House Manufacturing Caucus will strengthen our ability to promote American manufacturing.”
“Our efforts on the House Manufacturing Caucus are all about improving communication between manufacturers and Congress so that we can create an environment that brings more manufacturing jobs to districts across the United States,” said Congressman Reed. “The more participation and engagement we have, the better equipped we will be as a voice and resource for manufacturers – a group whose success is vital to our country’s ability to make a strong economic recovery. I am confident the Caucus will only continue to grow as more come to realize manufacturers’ full potential.”
“This country’s manufacturing base lies at the epicenter of efforts to address some of our greatest economic challenges,” said Congressman Kennedy. “From still-stubborn unemployment rates to trade deficits and income inequality: a national manufacturing policy is essential to putting this country back on solid economic footing. I’m honored to join the House Manufacturing Caucus today and look forward to being an active part of their efforts moving forward.”
Congressman Kennedy and Congressman Reed introduced the bipartisan Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (RAMI). This legislation, supported by Congressman Ryan, would create a network of regional institutes across the country, each focused on a unique technology, material, or process relevant to advanced manufacturing.
Maintaining a strong domestic manufacturing capability is also a national security issue, and the House Manufacturing Caucus can be a key resource for ensuring that we have a domestic supply chain that can singularly support national defense needs in all contingencies. As manufacturing led the nation out of the Great Depression, advanced manufacturing and the innovations that come from it will help us lead our nation into a manufacturing renaissance that will provide opportunity for our young people to live, work, and prosper.