U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Senator Jeff Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, have led 27 Senate Democrats in a letter to Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Craig Burkhardt. The senators are seeking answers regarding the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) withholding and delaying of congressionally-approved funds for the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program.
The MEP Program is a national network that supports small and medium-sized manufacturers in improving productivity and adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence. According to the senators’ letter, “On April 1, 2025, the Administration began withholding and delaying funds Congress already enacted and appropriated for MEP Centers. Since then, NIST and the Administration have put the future of the MEP Program in deep uncertainty with its ever-shifting chronology of statements and actions. This uncertainty has already caused roughly 90% of MEP Centers to conduct layoffs or freeze hiring, with some at risk of entirely shutting down. Our offices are also deeply troubled by reports that the Administration has issued Reduction in Force (RIF) and possible separation notices to every MEP employee. These actions disregard Congress’s explicit statutory direction to fully fund the MEP Program and its Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.”
Despite bipartisan support from Congress for funding MEP Centers nationwide—both House and Senate Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bills allocate $175 million—the administration has argued that supporting American manufacturers through this program does not align with its priorities. The senators noted recent job losses in manufacturing since April 2025.
“It is perplexing why the Administration appears to believe a program specifically designed to strengthen domestic manufacturing would be at odds with its priorities,” they wrote. “We should not be undermining or eliminating a long-standing program that strengthens innovation, enhances global competitiveness, and creates jobs in U.S. manufacturing.”
The letter details several instances where NIST communicated changes or delays regarding funding renewals for MEP Centers without consulting Congress. It also describes how employees were notified about potential job eliminations during a government shutdown due to lack of funding.
The senators requested detailed information about current funding expiration dates for all MEP Centers, disbursement amounts for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, justification for staff reduction notices within the network, organizational structure updates, timelines for future funding opportunities, as well as a briefing on plans for program continuity.
According to information from the official website, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee reviews legislation related to commerce, science and transportation during congressional sessions; it is directed by a chairman; serves as a standing committee focused on these issues; works within policies concerning interstate commerce; promotes relevant legislation; includes members from both parties; and houses its main office in Washington D.C.’s Russell Senate Office Building.
The full letter was signed by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
