Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Following House final passage of the tax bill, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“Today marks a historic victory for the 13 million people who make things in America. This is a manufacturers’ bill—through and through.

“None of this was inevitable. It’s the result of years of serious, sincere partnership between our nation’s manufacturers and our elected leaders. From the shop floors of small businesses to the headquarters of global companies, from plant managers and line workers to members of Congress and the administration, this achievement reflects what’s possible when policymakers choose to work with manufacturers.

“Manufacturers are especially grateful to President Trump, Vice President Vance, Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, Majority Whip Emmer, Conference Chair McClain and Ways and Means Chairman Smith for their steadfast leadership. Their commitment to our industry—and to the men and women who make things in America—was essential to get this done. They listened to manufacturers, stood by us and delivered real results.”

“When leaders partner with manufacturers, good things happen for our country—because manufacturing is nonpartisan and bipartisan. To invest in manufacturing is to invest in America—in communities in every state and of every size. While this bill passed on a party-line vote, manufacturers all across America, in red states and blue states, swing districts and safe districts, look forward to putting people to work, more factories into motion, more innovation into the market, more products onto our shelves and more prosperity into our communities. Taken together, this strengthens the hand of the United States on the world stage. That’s exactly what this bill helps to deliver.

“This Congress and this administration understand that a stronger manufacturing sector means a stronger America. We will continue to work with our nation’s leaders to realize and celebrate the benefits of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy that includes not only further tax reforms but also trade, energy, workforce development and modernized regulations.

“Because one of the greatest investments our leaders can make for the American people is an investment in manufacturing—the industry that powers our shared prosperity.”

Background

Prior to final passage, the NAM activated manufacturers in America—engaging shop floor workers, plant managers, executives and state and local partners nationwide­—as part of the “Manufacturing Wins” campaign. With a coordinated public advocacy campaign, which included outreach to congressional offices both in district and in Washington, targeted social media drives, video testimonials and local media op-eds, the NAM made the case for this bill directly to members of Congress and the American people. These collective voices underscored how preserving and expanding key tax provisions translates into growing businesses, creating jobs and powering stronger communities.

On Monday, more than 300 manufacturing leaders from across the country signed onto a letter urging Congress to act immediately to pass historic tax legislation that will enable manufacturers in America to thrive. Leading up to the vote, manufacturers from across the country joined the NAM in a full-court press on Capitol Hill, including a key meeting with Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender. They delivered one message: get this across the goal line for American jobs.

In January, the NAM released a landmark EY study on the economic consequences of failing to renew the pro-manufacturing provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by the end of 2025. The NAM was joined by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-ID), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) for a Capitol Hill press conference highlighting the study.

Key facts on the economic consequences of failing to preserve tax reform:

• 5.9 million lost jobs
• $540 billion reduction in employee compensation
• $1.1 trillion shortfall in U.S. GDP

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – Following Senate passage of the tax bill, National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“The Senate just pushed the ball deep into the red zone. Now it’s the House’s turn to finish the drive and deliver a big win for manufacturers in America. The Senate advanced a tax package that will strengthen small businesses, family-owned operations and manufacturing workers across the country. It drives manufacturers closer to the goal line—growing businesses, creating jobs and powering stronger communities.

“After months of driving, months of endurance and effort, months of playing audacious offense and tenacious defense, months of partnership between manufacturers of every industry and our leaders in Congress and the administration, the House now can finish the job. We call on our partners in the House to send this bill to the president’s desk—the strongest tax bill for manufacturers we have seen in a generation. Because when Congress champions the 13 million people who make things in America, manufacturing wins—and when manufacturing wins, America wins.”

Background

A full-team push: Today, more than 300 manufacturing leaders from across the country signed onto a letter urging Congress to act immediately to pass historic tax legislation that will enable manufacturers in America to thrive. Leading up to the vote, manufacturers from across the country joined the NAM in a full-court press on Capitol Hill, including a key meeting with Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender. They delivered one message: get this across the goal line for American jobs. Watch the recap.

Calling the plays: Timmons appeared on Bloomberg’s “Balance of Power” urging passage to give manufacturers the certainty they need to keep building and investing.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org

Washington, D.C. – In advance of the Senate vote on passage of the tax bill, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“This is a manufacturers’ bill—through and through. It reflects the priorities that manufacturers across the country have long championed: policies that drive growth, boost competitiveness, strengthen communities and support good-paying jobs.

“This bill is strong because the partnership behind it is strong. Our nation’s leaders have listened to America’s manufacturers—positioning our industry to lead and succeed like never before. And that means more prosperity for the United States. With enthusiasm for this achievement and gratitude for our advocates in Congress, we call on our partners in the Senate to finish the job.”

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement thanking President Donald Trump and Secretary Scott Bessent for achieving a monumental deal with G-7 allies that the OECD Pillar 2 taxes will not apply to U.S. companies, laying the groundwork to remove the harmful Section 899 proposal from the pro-manufacturing One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

“In a massive triumph for manufacturing in America, Treasury Secretary Bessent announced a deal to protect both domestic and foreign-headquartered manufacturers investing in the United States from oppressive, job-killing taxes. The NAM—which yesterday brought together manufacturers of all sizes to meet with Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender to discuss the importance of countering OECD Pillar 2 and preventing the harm of Section 899—congratulates President Trump for this outstanding deal.

“Today’s deal is a win for manufacturing and a win for America. Manufacturers thank Secretary Bessent, Deputy Secretary Faulkender and the Trump administration for reaching this historic deal to shield manufacturers in America from damaging foreign taxes that unfairly stifle job creation in the U.S.

“Manufacturers have long raised concerns about the overreaching and extraterritorial nature of OECD Pillar 2. We greatly appreciate Chairman Jason Smith and Chairman Mike Crapo for their commitment to defending manufacturers in the U.S. from discriminatory foreign taxes. Companies of all sizes across our industry will benefit from the Trump administration removing the threat of these damaging tax burdens.

“Today’s announcement also paves the way for the House and the Senate to lift the threat that Section 899 poses to foreign-headquartered manufacturers’ ability to invest and create jobs in America. Manufacturers have been working with Congress to ensure that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is maximally beneficial for manufacturing investment in America, and today’s announcement is a crucial step in that direction.

“It’s now time for the Senate to vote and for the House to send this bill to President Trump’s desk by July 4.”

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The Senate Finance Committee today unveiled its version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—preserving the core of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“Chairman Crapo and the Senate Finance Committee are delivering the kind of tax policy manufacturers have been calling for—policy that drives growth, unlocks investment and grows jobs. We commend Chairman Crapo for his leadership and steadfast commitment to pro-manufacturing tax policy. By preserving the full suite of pro-growth policies from the TCJA, this bill marks a major step forward for manufacturing in America.

“Manufacturers also want to ensure that the tax code continues to support inbound investment into the United States as well as preserve incentives that drive investments in the manufacturing and energy production needed to power America’s economic growth. If the Senate acts now, manufacturers can continue to grow—buying equipment, hiring workers, increasing pay and expanding operations with greater certainty and confidence.

“The Finance Committee recognizes what’s at stake: nearly 6 million jobs and more than a trillion dollars in economic output depend on getting this right.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lock in a manufacturing resurgence in the U.S. Let’s finish the job—because when manufacturing wins, America wins.”

Background:

The Senate bill contains key NAM priorities, including:

• A permanent pass-through deduction and retention of pro-growth individual and corporate tax rates;
• Permanence for pro-growth tax policies like immediate R&D expensing, full expensing for capital equipment purchases and a pro-growth interest deductibility standard;
• An expanded and permanent estate tax exemption;
• Pro-manufacturing reforms to the international tax system that protect America’s competitiveness on the world stage; and
• A first-of-its-kind incentive allowing immediate expensing of the cost of new factories and modernizations.

Last week, the NAM released a report, “Keeping Our Promises: Manufacturers on Eight Years of Tax Reform,” featuring firsthand success stories from manufacturers on how the TCJA enabled them to invest in their facilities, their workers and their communities. Learn more about the NAM’s Manufacturing Wins campaign to protect 2017 tax reform here.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – As manufacturers call on Congress to urgently pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the National Association of Manufacturers released a report today, “Keeping Our Promises: Manufacturers on Eight Years of Tax Reform,” that highlights the transformative impact of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on manufacturing in the U.S. From small family-run operations to global enterprises, the report shows how manufacturers delivered on their promises to invest, hire and grow, thanks to the savings from tax reform. It also warns of the serious risks to jobs and growth if pro-manufacturing tax policies are allowed to expire.

“The evidence is clear: manufacturing had its best job creation in more than two decades, the strongest wage growth in 15 years and significant investment in capital equipment after the passage of the TCJA in 2017,” said NAM Executive Vice President Erin Streeter. “But several of these tax provisions have expired already—and the rest are scheduled to sunset at the end of this year—putting at risk 6 million American jobs, more than $500 billion in wages and benefits and more than $1 trillion in GDP.”

The report features firsthand accounts from manufacturers like Westminster Tool, Click Bond, Ketchie, Gentex, Winton Machine, Jamison Door Company and more that transformed tax reform savings into tangible investments in the future, leveraging tax reform to:

• Raise wages and expand benefits;
• Invest in advanced machinery and technology;
• Strengthen R&D and innovation;
• Build new facilities and expand existing ones; and
• Create jobs and economic opportunity in their communities.

“This is a success story we’re proud to share—told through the experiences of manufacturers that delivered on their commitments and backed by research that reinforces what they’ve witnessed firsthand over the past eight years: tax reform worked,” Streeter added. “Congress faces a straightforward choice to make the TCJA’s manufacturing-empowering provisions permanent, or risk undermining the foundation of our economic competitiveness.”

Read the full report and manufacturing success stories from across the country here.

Learn more about the NAM’s Manufacturing Wins campaign to protect 2017 tax reform here.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – In response to the EPA’s decision to repeal the 2024 power plant rule, a key priority for the National Association of Manufacturers’ ongoing efforts to rebalance federal regulations and unleash American energy, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement:

“The EPA’s decision to repeal the unworkable power plant rule for existing coal-fired and new natural gas-fired power plants is a critical and welcome step toward rebalanced regulations and American energy dominance. This change will strengthen grid reliability and support manufacturing growth in the United States.

“From the onset, the NAM has warned that this rule would undermine the stability of our electric grid and impose unworkable mandates on critical energy infrastructure. The rule’s unrealistic timeline for power plants to adopt certain emerging technologies to commercial scale made it infeasible—undermining America’s energy security and hampering America’s leadership in next generation technologies like AI. Existing natural gas plants are critical to powering manufacturing in the United States—providing affordable, reliable baseload energy to continuously support industry. By layering new regulations on an already overburdened electric grid, the rule was putting our energy security at risk. Repealing this unbalanced rule will enhance manufacturers’ access to America’s abundant energy resources and ensure that the industry has the power it needs to drive the American economy.”

Background: Today’s action builds on the momentum from a December 2024 NAM-led letter to the transition team, signed by more than 100  manufacturing organizations, detailing regulatory actions the incoming administration could take to right-size regulations that stunted manufacturing growth and job creation—including the power plant rule. It also implements one of the key recommendations from the letter the NAM sent to 10 federal agencies in April, including the EPA,  identifying the power plant rule as one of the most burdensome regulations facing manufacturers and urging a rebalanced approach to strengthen, rather than strain, U.S. manufacturing. Last year, the NAM endorsed Rep. Balderson’s (OH-12) Congressional Review Act resolution that would have blocked implementation of this rule.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers today unveiled the U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program, a programmatic proposal designed to help manufacturers deliver on President Trump’s vision of America as a global manufacturing powerhouse.

“President Trump’s administration is prioritizing policies that spur more investment and innovation in manufacturing in the U.S.—a goal that manufacturers share. As the administration pursues reciprocal trade deals, the NAM is seeking zero-for-zero tariff outcomes with our top export markets,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “As these deals materialize, manufacturers need a runway of predictable access to the critical inputs necessary to make things in America, empowering them to invest, create jobs, grow and compete. The U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program is a manufacturing ‘speed pass’ that will unlock long-term investments needed to maintain America’s edge in the global economy.”

Why the program is needed right now: Even if the manufacturing industry were operating at full capacity—every machine turned on, every job filled—then the industry could produce only 84% of the inputs necessary to meet demand. That means that at least 16% of manufacturing inputs must be imported to grow domestic manufacturing.

Tariffs on critical manufacturing inputs dramatically increase the cost of these must-use, must-import inputs, thus hindering the very investment needed to grow manufacturing jobs in the U.S. These inputs are raw materials, critical minerals and energy resources—as well as some equipment and machinery our industry needs to install on the shop floor to enable U.S. production.

Timmons added, “The U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program offers a way to bring in essential inputs that aren’t produced in the U.S. without added cost burdens—and it rewards manufacturers that expand production, invest in new equipment and create jobs here at home. Every dollar of imported manufacturing inputs has a multiplier effect, generating $1.40 on average in manufacturing output in the U.S. This proposal is a practical, pro-growth approach that supports President Trump’s trade priorities and turns his goal to strengthen manufacturing in America for the long term into reality.”

Background on the U.S. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Program:

1. A Manufacturing Speed Pass

• To reduce the cost burdens that hinder domestic manufacturing investment, the administration should utilize existing authorities to issue general licenses—effectively a manufacturing speed pass—that allow manufacturers to import essential inputs duty-free.
• This includes raw materials, machinery, components and R&D inputs not readily available domestically.
• Eligible manufacturers would self-certify under defined criteria and be subject to post-entry verification by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
• The Treasury Department, which has experience with general licensing frameworks, would be tasked with implementation.

1. Manufacturing Investment Accelerator Rebates
   The administration should provide a rebate to offset tariff costs incurred on must-import inputs when manufacturers are investing or expanding manufacturing in the U.S. Rebates would apply to:

• New or expanded manufacturing facilities;
• Technological upgrades and equipment modernization;
• Hiring of full-time manufacturing employees; and
• Domestic R&D expenditures.

Additionally, to ensure the program remains responsive and effective in generating manufacturing expansion in the U.S., the NAM recommends convening a Quarterly Manufacturing Dialogue between manufacturers and key federal agencies, including U.S. Treasury, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce and the Small Business Administration, among others.This ongoing forum would allow for real-time feedback, operational updates and continuous improvement of the Accelerator Program to better serve manufacturers in America.

The NAM also today unveiled a first-of-its-kind new data analysis visualized in a trade map, offering a state-by-state look at the increase in tariff costs borne by manufacturers and the need for globally sourced critical inputs necessary to make things in America—such as raw materials, critical minerals and energy sources.

The NAM’s Q2 2025 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey showed manufacturers’ optimism has dropped to 55.4%, the lowest level since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Q2 2020. Trade uncertainty remained the top business concern for the second consecutive quarter, cited by 77.0% of respondents.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector rese arch and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of Manufacturers released its Q2 2025 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, revealing that optimism among manufacturers across the country has dropped sharply. Only 55.4% of respondents report a positive outlook for their companies—a nearly 15-percentage-point drop from Q1 and the lowest level since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Q2 of 2020.

The survey conducted earlier this month revealed that 85.4% of manufacturers believe Congress should preserve pro-growth tax policies in response to trade uncertainty.

Trade uncertainty remained the top business concern for the second consecutive quarter, cited by 77.0% of respondents, followed by increased raw material costs, which was cited by 66.1% of respondents.

“These numbers are yet another indicator that manufacturers need increased policy certainty. Congress must act urgently to preserve tax reform and empower manufacturers to make the long-term investments that drive the American economy,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “The stakes are high: preserving tax reform will prevent the loss of 6 million jobs and avoid a $1 trillion hit to the economy—that’s why manufacturers are calling on the Senate to preserve pro-manufacturing tax policies from the House-passed reconciliation bill, while also taking steps to ensure the final package is maximally beneficial for our industry. Pro-manufacturing tax policies are a critical component of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy; this quarter’s results also show that manufacturers need a strategic approach to trade policy that allows our industry to reduce costs and access the inputs we need to make things in America.”

The NAM releases these results to the public each quarter. Further information on the survey is available here.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector rese arch and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The Manufacturing Leadership Council, the digital transformation division of the National Association of Manufacturers, today released a groundbreaking report, “Shaping the AI-Powered Factory of the Future,” that reveals how manufacturers are embracing artificial intelligence on shop floors. The report, a product of the MLC’s “Future of Manufacturing Project,” underscores the need for a policy framework that supports U.S. AI growth, innovation and leadership—one that streamlines compliance, fosters transparency and aligns energy, workforce, privacy and innovation rules with the realities of smart manufacturing.

AI has become essential to modern, competitive manufacturing in America: for example, manufacturers use cutting-edge AI tools like AI-powered cameras to enhance worker safety and eliminate product defaults, AI simulations to design new products and optimize shop floor operations, and AI data analytics to control costs and manage supply chains more efficiently. Manufacturers are also embedding AI in new, intelligent products. The report shows that 51% of manufacturers already use AI in their operations, with 61% expecting investment in AI will increase by 2027. By 2030, 80% say AI will be essential to growing or maintaining their business.

The report also illustrates that manufacturers face ongoing barriers to using and scaling AI—indicating data quality and accessibility as the top challenges, with 65% of respondents reporting they lack the right data for AI applications and 62% citing data that is unstructured or poorly formatted. 

“Artificial intelligence isn’t new to manufacturing. For years, manufacturers have been developing and deploying AI-driven technologies—machine vision, digital twins, robotics and more—to make shop floors smarter, supply chains stronger and workplaces safer,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “The latest report from the MLC reinforces the need for modernized, agile, pro-manufacturing AI policy solutions, so that manufacturers can continue to innovate on shop floors across America. Manufacturers welcomed President Trump’s early commitment to maintaining and advancing America’s global AI dominance, and we look forward to continuing to champion American AI leadership and manufacturing in America, which starts with adopting a pro-AI regulatory framework and pursuing policies that bolster innovation.”

As manufacturers seek to expand their use of AI and unlock its full potential at scale, the report also highlights areas where manufacturers may face challenges and require additional investment, such as modernizing data architectures, developing a more knowledgeable workforce, building organizational trust and accelerating legacy infrastructure upgrades.

The NAM has proposed a series of policy recommendations for policymakers to drive AI development and adoption in manufacturing:

1. Adopt a pro-AI regulatory approach given the growing number and variety of use cases in AI in manufacturing, which require an optimized regulatory environment.
2. Develop the manufacturing workforce of the AI age by supporting training programs, career and technical education institutions and STEM education and immigration. According to the MLC’s report, 82% of manufacturers cite a lack of AI-ready skills as the top workforce challenge.
3. Advance energy and permitting reform to support AI-related data center growth.
4. Protect personal data by passing a comprehensive privacy law that preempts state laws, provides liability protections that prevent frivolous litigation and adopts a risk-based approach that enables innovation and AI.
5. Support U.S. manufacturing of AI chips by executing funding agreements with chip manufacturers and renewing the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit.
6. Incentivize U.S. AI innovation by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that preserves pro-manufacturing tax policies.

“A worldwide competition for AI supremacy is underway, and manufacturers have the opportunity to lead the charge with this game-changing technology,” said MLC Founder, Vice President and Executive Director David R. Brousell. “Fast-moving developments in the technology have turbo-charged interest and adoption of AI in its many forms, intensifying competition. To win, manufacturers in America need a strong ecosystem of partners and support to create new, competitive advantages in all facets of the manufacturing industry, from operations, to supply chains, to the workforce—and in their efforts to innovate for the future.”

Background:

Manufacturers have been at the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge AI systems that are transforming shop floors and revolutionizing operations.

In March, the NAM submitted comments to inform the White House’s development of an AI Action Plan, explaining how manufacturers are using AI on the shop floor and in operations, with specific recommendations on rebalancing and right-sizing AI regulations to enhance America’s global AI dominance.

In May 2024, the NAM published “Working Smarter: How Manufacturers Are Using Artificial Intelligence”—a report that explains the ways in which manufacturers are already using AI, making the technology integral to modern manufacturing with manufacturers at the forefront of developing and implementing AI systems.

Most recently, the House-passed reconciliation bill included language to prevent a patchwork of state AI regulations that would impede AI innovation and development, in line with the NAM’s advocacy for workable, flexible national standards.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector rese arch and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.

Featured Quotes from NAM Board Chair Kathy Wengel and Partners of the MLC’s Future of Manufacturing Project

“AI continues to drive innovation, efficiency and better outcomes for manufacturers across America. From accelerating drug discovery and development to optimizing manufacturing operations, AI enables companies to make smarter, faster and more impactful decisions,” said Kathy Wengel, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Operations and Risk Officer at Johnson & Johnson and Board Chair at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). “Importantly, AI empowers employees at all levels, when we equip them with the knowledge and understanding to help shape the implementation of these new technologies. AI is proving to be an essential partner on the shop floor, and we must continue to ensure manufacturing employees have the skills they need to build the future of our industry.”

“The Manufacturing Leadership Council survey shows that while continuous improvement remains a key performance indicator for AI in manufacturing, more manufacturers are starting to see greater value in automation and prediction moving forward. From identifying improvement opportunities to analyzing how people interact with systems, AI is enhancing workplace safety and amplifying the power of the leaders on the floor to solve problems faster before any potential disruption to operations. With 63% of manufacturers meeting or exceeding their targets with AI, this survey shows that this trend is only expected to grow as companies prepare their factories for the future.” – Tim Buschur, Chief Strategy Officer, Invisible AI

“Smart manufacturing is advancing rapidly as manufacturers invest in AI and emerging technologies to drive efficiency and long-term business value. Rockwell Automation is helping address key challenges, such as workforce gaps and technology readiness, through strategic partnerships that accelerate digital transformation. The broader manufacturing sector can benefit from initiatives like this, which share practical expertise and clear guidance to demystify AI and empower organizations at any stage of digital maturity to adopt advanced technologies with confidence.” – Austin Locke, Global Lead of Data Science and AI at Kalypso, a Rockwell Automation business  

“AI is rapidly becoming central to manufacturing operations, yet nearly a third of survey respondents are unsure who oversees AI governance at their company. To fully realize AI’s potential, organizations can build a stronger foundation by implementing robust governance strategies that go beyond the technology itself—fostering cross-functional collaboration among leadership and frontline teams to ensure that data, systems, and people are equipped to use AI effectively in real-world settings.” – Kris Slozak, Director of Consumer and Industrial Products, West Monroe

“Business leaders are already seeing immediate benefits with the use of AI; however, manufacturers still face challenges around inaccessible data, limited employee skillset to leverage AI effectively, and outdated systems and operations. Companies that invest early in strong data governance, smart integration, and cross-functional collaboration will be better positioned to compete and grow.”  – Prasoon Saxena, Global Co-Lead Products Industries, NTT DATA

“AI is already driving measurable value for manufacturers by enhancing decision-making and transforming critical supply chain operations. To fully unlock its potential at scale, investing in modern data infrastructure, enhancing workforce knowledge and skills, and adopting new processes to embrace new ways of working will be essential to help manufacturers remain competitive now and in the future.”  – Richard Weng, Managing Director, Accenture