WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Rob Portman (R-OH), announced the Senate passage of the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy Act as part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. This legislation will create a new Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy (OMII) overseen by a Chief Manufacturing Officer in the Executive Office of the President. This new office will help strengthen America’s manufacturing industry and workforce and improve global competitiveness following the coronavirus pandemic. 

This bipartisan legislation will require the federal government to develop a long-term plan to ensure the growth and national security of the U.S. manufacturing industry and workforce and coordinate efforts to support manufacturing across the federal government, improve workforce development and job creation, and enhance research and development.

“A strong manufacturing industry is key to our economic prosperity and reviving the U.S. economy after this pandemic,” said Senator Klobuchar. “My legislation to create a presidential office of manufacturing and industrial innovation passed the Senate with bipartisan support, putting us a step closer to strengthening our manufacturing sector so we can stay competitive globally.”

“Manufacturing is vital to Mississippi’s economy. Our bill would make increasing domestic manufacturing capability a national priority and identify better ways to harmonize and coordinate the federal permitting process,” said Senator Wicker.

“Manufacturing innovation is the foundation of U.S. economic leadership and competitiveness. By passing this important legislation to establish an Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation, we will ensure that America continues to lead in the next generation of technology-enabled manufacturing, build a more resilient manufacturing sector, and help support millions of American jobs,” said Senator Coons.

“A strong manufacturing sector is critical to maintaining American competitiveness, to our national security, and to a robust economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis,” said Senator Portman. “The Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation will work to coordinate existing federal programs and resources for manufacturers, while providing the President with analysis and perspective. Much like the National Security Advisor, the Chief Manufacturing Officer will create a strategic plan to ensure our nation’s manufacturing and industrial sector remains world-class.”

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