Congressman reintroduces pro-manufacturing bill.WASHINGTON -- Legislation that would create new and strengthen existing programs supporting U.S. manufacturing sector research, development and innovation efforts was reintroduced Jan. 4 by Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI). The proposal, the Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act (H.R. 250), would provide extension services to small- and medium-sized manufacturers. The bill is essentially identical to legislation Ehlers introduced earlier in the 108th Congress that was approved by the House of Representatives but stalled stall 1 n. 1. A compartment for one domestic animal in a barn or shed. 2. a. A booth, cubicle, or stand used by a vendor, as at a market. b. in the Senate. "The U.S. manufacturing sector, which is a cornerstone of the American economy, remains the target of competition from abroad," said Ehlers, who also has proposed legislation requiring country of origin labeling on all imported home furniture. "This bill will help address long-term problems facing our nation's manufacturers by coordinating existing federal manufacturing programs, creating a new program to revive To renew. For example, revival is the act of renewing the legal force of a contract or debt, either by acknowledging it or by giving a new promise, when the contract or debt is no longer a sufficient foundation for a lawsuit because it is barred by the running of the Statute manufacturing innovation through collaborative research and development, and broadening and strengthening manufacturing extension programs." Ehlers said the bill would provide a structure for improving coordination among federal manufacturing R&D programs; strengthen the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP MEP maximum expiratory pressure. MEP, n muscle energy procedure; diagnostic and therapeutic technique. Pulsed muscle energy techniques (MET) and integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique (INIT) are two examples. ) program; establish a collaborative grants program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology National Institute of Standards and Technology, governmental agency within the U.S. Dept. of Commerce with the mission of "working with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards" in the national interest. (NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology, Washington, DC, www.nist.gov) The standards-defining agency of the U.S. government, formerly the National Bureau of Standards. It is one of three agencies that fall under the Technology Administration (www.technology. ) to support innovation; and create a fellowship program at NIST to cultivate cul·ti·vate tr.v. cul·ti·vat·ed, cul·ti·vat·ing, cul·ti·vates 1. a. To improve and prepare (land), as by plowing or fertilizing, for raising crops; till. b. greater U.S. expertise in the manufacturing sciences. The legislation also would reauthorize the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program with total funds of $460 million for four years, with a mechanism for review of MEP centers. The bill also creates an additional collaborative grant program to encourage partnerships among industry, educational institutions and local organizations on manufacturing-related projects. The grants would be authorized au·thor·ize tr.v. au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing, au·thor·iz·es 1. To grant authority or power to. 2. To give permission for; sanction: at a total of $184 million over four years. "Globalization globalization Process by which the experience of everyday life, marked by the diffusion of commodities and ideas, is becoming standardized around the world. Factors that have contributed to globalization include increasingly sophisticated communications and transportation is in full swing," Ehlers said. "It is incumbent upon this Congress to provide a coherent federal response to the changes that are underway in manufacturing, and to support the technological innovation that is fundamental to retaining our manufacturing strength. This bill provides a mechanism for that crucial response and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this issue in the 109th Congress." Read more at www.house.gov/ehlers. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion