Following the release of a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the manufacturing-centered office within the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) today said manufacturers need the Office of Manufacturing and Services to be a more visible presence in the federal government and in the formation of administration policy.
"Manufacturing is the root of a healthy economy, and the federal government must ensure that the voice of American manufacturers is loud and clear in every policy debate and decision, whether it's an EPA regulation, worker safety rule, or tax reform. The Office of Manufacturing and Services provides valuable insight and analysis on exporting industries for several agencies and the public, but manufacturing is much more than just exports," Brown said. "As the Obama Administration considers re-organizing the Commerce Department, I urge it consider raising the visibility of this Office, the title and position of its Director, and the broadening of its portfolio beyond exports."
"The financial crisis, recession, and challenging on-going recovery have made it plain that we've got to put "Made in America' back at the heart of the American economy. The well-paid middle class jobs manufacturing provides are critical to restoring stable, balanced growth to our economy. As we look to compete in the 21st century economy, I hope the Obama Administration can do more to prioritize manufacturing, and strengthening the Office of Manufacturing and Services through additional tools and visibility is one place to start. We simply must do more to speed job creation here at home," Merkley said.
Brown and Merkley requested the GAO report, entitled Office of Manufacturing and Services Could Better Measure and Communicate Its Contributions to Trade Policy, during the previous Congress. At the time, Brown served as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Banking, House, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy, where he chaired nine hearings on American manufacturing. A copy of the report can be found here.
Brown is the author, with Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), of the National Manufacturing Strategy Act of 2011, legislation aimed at bolstering the competitiveness of the American manufacturing industry. By requiring the Commerce Department to coordinate the development of a national manufacturing strategy, the bill would boost traditional and high-tech manufacturing, spur American job growth, and strengthen the middle class. The bill would also require the Commerce Secretary to conduct an Administration-wide comprehensive analysis of the nation's manufacturing sector and submit to Congress a National Manufacturing Strategy.
The goals of the Strategy are to increase manufacturing jobs, identify emerging technologies to strengthen U.S. competitiveness, and strengthen the manufacturing sectors in which the U.S. is most competitive.