The National Manufacturing Advisory Council Act, which passed the U.S. Senate unanimously, is the latest example.
An interesting article appeared Monday in an online publication that caters to what the outlet describes as the “vital center.” In the piece – titled The Liberal Case for “Made in the USA” – author Justin Vassallo argues that Democrats must not “cede the shape of industrial policy to (President) Trump, which a reflexive anti-tariff position may well participate.”
Concrete steps must be taken (or at least drafted for a future Democratic administration) to blunt the effects of the second China shock beginning to unfold. Moreover, it would be erroneous to reduce manufacturing to a narrow interest that is of no greater significance to the country’s continued development than any other sector. No substitute has truly been established in any advanced economy for the productivity and demand that historically sprang from diversified, remunerative manufacturing.
Vassallo goes on to respond to the arguments for abandoning a pro-manufacturing agenda as a Democratic project, acknowledge recent Democratic attempts to advance one, and tick through the reasons Democrats must keep trying at it. It’s a thoughtful, well-argued essay that is worth 10 minutes of your attention (particularly if you style yourself as a Democrat).
But while I’ll leave it to the political pundits to determine where the minority party truly stands on manufacturing, it must be said: There are plenty of recent examples of legislation with bipartisan support that would strengthen the domestic manufacturing sector. Across the states Buy America laws continue to proliferate with support from both Democrats and Republicans.
At the federal level, meanwhile, more examples abound. The STOP China Act would prevent federal financial assistance awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation from flowing to companies backed by the Chinese government; introduced with bipartisan support in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The SHIPS for America Act proposes to revitalize U.S. shipbuilding by creating oversight and consistent funding for U.S. maritime policy and would establish a national goal of expanding the U.S.-flag international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years; it was introduced with bipartisan support. Before a temporary closure passed with the recent enormous budget bill, multiple proposals came out of Congress that proposed reforming the de minimis trade rule, which undercuts especially U.S. apparel companies and workers; they’ve gained plenty of bipartisan support too.
And last week came another instance: The National Manufacturing Council Act – co-sponsored by Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) – would establish a working group of representatives from industry, labor, and academia to advise Congress and U.S. Secretary of Congress on policies and programs facing domestic manufacturing. It would also be expected to propose solutions to manufacturing concerns.
It’s a good idea, which is why the Alliance for American Manufacturing has endorsed it. Said AAM President Scott Paul:
“Recent supply chain disruptions have made clear that it is time for the United States to shore up its critical manufacturing capabilities, which will not only better prepare us for the next crisis but also create jobs and boost the economy. This increased coordination between the many programs designed to support our manufacturers and their workers is an important step towards rebuilding our industrial base.”
The bill passed the Senate unanimously. We’ll keep an eye out for it in the House. In the meantime: Read The Liberal Case for “Made in the USA.”