Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5390) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study on the feasibility of manufacturing in the United States products for critical infrastructure sectors, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on this particular bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, and I thank Representative Miller-Meeks, as well as Representatives Bucshon, Kuster, Schrier, and Spanberger for their leadership on this particular piece of legislation.

Manufacturing remains an essential sector for the United States, not only in terms of economic stability and American job creation, but also to ensure global leadership in areas like developing and deploying emerging technologies.

With that in mind, it is important that the United States examines where barriers exist for manufacturing in the U.S., in particular, manufacturing critical products that are in high demand in the United States. Failure to do so may cause companies offering products and services to become reliant upon countries like China for critical components and goods necessary for those products and services.

Instead, we should be analyzing ways to feasibly manufacture these products here at home. I am strongly supportive of finding pathways forward to increase our capacity to manufacture products domestically here in the United States. In fact, I am the co-chair of the newly formed Domestic Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Caucus with my colleague and good friend, Buddy Carter, and we are looking at ways to bring back American manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals here in the United States, as well.

I thank all of my colleagues here, but Dr. Miller-Meeks in particular, for their important work on H.R. 5390. This legislation will help the United States identify the pathway to secure leadership in domestic manufacturing and innovation and protect economic and national security.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this particular bill sponsored by my good friend, Dr. Miller-Meeks, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Iowa (Mrs. Miller-Meeks), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), a physician who we are going to miss greatly. He has done a great job on the Energy and Commerce Committee, and he is a great friend.

Mr. Speaker, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this critical piece of legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Representative Bilirakis, for yielding me time to enthusiastically support my legislation, H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act.

As we gather on the House floor, the urgency of this legislation has only intensified since its consideration in committee, and the challenges facing our manufacturing sector grow more acute. The global supply chain disruptions that have plagued us in recent years, especially during the pandemic,

have not abated. If anything, they have deepened.

Record-level inflation and the specter of foreign adversaries exerting undue influence over our vital industries loom even larger. Our dependence on foreign sources for critical goods is a vulnerability we can ill afford. The concentration of supply chains in the hands of nations like China or the Chinese Communist Party leaves us exposed to the whims of geopolitical forces beyond our control. It imperils not just our economic prosperity but our national security, as well.

In the face of these threats, the imperative for action is clear. We must strengthen our domestic supply chain resiliency, bolstering our capacity to manufacture essential goods right here at home.

H.R. 5390 represents a crucial step in this direction. By directing the Secretary of Commerce to explore the feasibility of manufacturing critical infrastructure goods within our borders, particularly in rural communities like those in Iowa, this bill charts a course toward greater self-reliance and security.

Let us be clear: This is not just about mitigating risk. It is about seizing opportunity. By investing in domestic manufacturing, we can revitalize communities, create good-paying jobs, and unleash the innovative potential of the American workforce.

This legislation is not a panacea, nor does it claim to be. It is a starting point, a declaration of our intent to reclaim control over our economic destiny. It is a vital starting point, one that merits our full-throated support.

I am proud to have joined forces with my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan bill. Let us stand together in support of H.R. 5390, and in doing so, let us reaffirm our commitment to the strength and resilience of the American economy.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for this critical legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act.

Our Nation's manufacturing base was once the envy of the world, but unfortunately, it has faced steady headwinds for the last several decades. The United States' share of global manufacturing activity has declined from 28 percent in 2002 to less than 16 percent in 2021. Investments in America's small and medium manufacturers, the bedrock of our industrial might, has also declined over the last 20 years by more than $200 billion. This has also resulted in our domestic manufacturing base shedding more than 4 million jobs.

Fortunately, the work we did last Congress in passing the bipartisan infrastructure law, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Chips and Science Act are already helping to turn the tide. Our Nation added nearly 800,000 manufacturing jobs during President Biden's first 20 months in office. Total construction spending on manufacturing in this time has skyrocketed to nearly $200 billion per month, more than doubling prepandemic levels.

H.R. 5390, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, will further support America's manufacturing renaissance by commissioning the Department of Commerce to study the costs, benefits, and feasibility of manufacturing products within critical infrastructure sectors in the United States.

I thank Representatives Miller-Meeks, Spanberger, Kuster, and Bucshon for their bipartisan work and leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers, and I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that we support this important legislation on both sides of the aisle, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Bilirakis for those kind remarks.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Dr. Miller-Meeks' bill, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, which I am proud to co-lead.

Indiana is an extremely manufacturing-intensive State, home to more than 546,000 manufacturing jobs. This means that supply chain disruptions in recent years have been especially damaging for the Hoosier State.

This bipartisan legislation will direct the Department of Commerce to study which products in critical sectors are being imported due to manufacturing and supply chain constraints. Based on this study, the Department will develop recommendations on how to stand up production capabilities in the U.S. in rural areas. Expanding our manufacturing capabilities in rural areas will help prevent supply chain shocks from occurring.

I thank Dr. Miller-Meeks and other sponsors of this bill for their leadership, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this important legislation.