Make It In America

Today, my Democratic colleagues and I re-launched the Make It In America initiative for the 112th Congress, and I wanted to share with you why I believe investments in manufacturing can help us sustain an economic recovery.

America's economy became a world leader in large part due to our manufacturing sector, and increased manufacturing leads to well-paying jobs and a strong middle class. But, over the last decade, America lost nearly one-third of its manufacturing jobs. That is why I am helping to introduce and support the Make It In America agenda - a plan to rebuild American manufacturing and create good jobs.

The Make It In America initiative will foster innovation, invest in our workforce, fight for a fair playing field for American companies, and help American companies compete abroad. Several Make It In America bills that became law during the last Congress cut taxes, created loans for small businesses, lowered costs of raw materials, and ended tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas. During this Congress, we will continue to promote Make It In America bills that reinforce our manufacturing industry and help American companies compete in a global market.

My own Make It In America bill, H.R. 502, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, would help boost the competitiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry both domestically and overseas. This legislation will help further the Sacramento region's progress towards becoming the Clean Tech Capital, and work to develop America as a leader in clean technology.

H.R. 502 would support the development, implementation, and sustainability of a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy, and help U.S. clean tech firms with export assistance and navigating foreign markets. It would also strengthen America's domestic manufacturing by promoting policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the domestic clean energy technology industry. Such policies will help increase the demand for clean technology, and enable American companies to expand and hire.

Congresswoman Matsui visits local clean energy manufacturing firm Sunoptics.

It is essential that our country has in place a long-term vision in order to win the future. That is why promoting Make It In America will continue to be a top priority. The recently released Democratic budget proposal for 2012 is based on the principles of the Make It In America initiative, and the idea that a strong manufacturing base and conditions that allow small businesses to thrive are what will help keep our economy growing. I voted for this budget proposal for these reasons, and will continue to fight for targeted investments in clean energy that will further support the Sacramento economy.