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“THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2003” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Commerce was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E2444 on Nov. 23, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 2003
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HON. VERNON J. EHLERS
of michigan
in the house of representatives
Friday, November 21, 2003
Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce ``The Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act of 2003.''
While Congress, the Administration and the American people have discussed the many challenges facing our nation's manufacturers, such as international trade, China policy, tax policy and health care costs, I believe that a fundamental issue has been generally left out of the debate--innovation. For decades innovation has underpinned American's dominance in the world economy. If our manufacturing sector is to remain competitive in the global marketplace, we must foster innovation within this sector.
As Chairman of the House Science Subcommittee on Environment, Technology and Standards, I oversee many of the federal government's manufacturing-focused research and development programs. I have met with manufacturers from around the country and specifically spoken to manufacturers both large and small about their problems. They all agree that innovation is one of the keys to ensuring our manufacturers remain competitive and it is crucial to the development of new industries. Funding research and development underpins innovation.
Based on these discussions and a hearing I held earlier this year, I am proud to introduce the Manufacturing Technology and Competitiveness Act of 2003. This bill will help our nation's manufacturers maintain and improve their technological edge. This legislation will stimulate innovation through collaborative research and development, and broaden and strengthen the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program, which provides small- and medium-sized manufacturers with the tools to compete better. More importantly, it will bring together a variety of partners in the public and private sectors, building relationships that encourage and foster technological development and the ability to bring these developments to the marketplace.
Our global competitors are eagerly supporting investments in manufacturing research and development because they know it is the key to sustained economic development. If we are to continue to be the world's technological leader, we need to rise to this new global challenge and make the investments envisioned by this legislation.
More specifically, the bill:
Ensures that all federal manufacturing programs and related funding are coordinated and focused on solving these important problems. The bill requires a strategic plan and improved budget process to ensure these programs work together efficiently;
Designates the current Under Secretary for Technology within the Department of Commerce, as the Under Secretary for Manufacturing and Technology, to be the federal government's point person on manufacturing R&D policy, and outlines new duties focused on fostering innovation within the manufacturing sector for this position;
Establishes a new collaborative research and development program for manufacturing technology to build partnerships among higher education institutions, businesses, states and other partners. This program will provide $184 million over four years;
Helps to develop future leaders in manufacturing technology through a fellowship program in applied manufacturing research. Fellows will get to work with world-class leaders in technology and engineering at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (KIST). The fellowship program will provide $7.5 million over four years;
Reauthorizes and reforms the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program by increasing competition among the centers. MEP is funded at $120 million for the first year, increasing to $137 million by year four; and,
Creates a new competitive, peer-reviewed grant program within the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program to develop new tools to help small businesses innovate and compete. Funding for this program will come from the total MEP funding.
Mr. Speaker, while I am pleased that we are on the road to economic recovery, we must still address underlying concerns about the future of U.S. manufacturing. This bill will help address some of those concerns and put our Nation's manufacturers in a better position to compete today and in the future.
I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and with the manufacturing and research communities, to pass this important legislation.
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