Matsui Clean Tech Manufacturing and Export Promotion Legislation Set for House Floor Vote Next Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 22, 2010

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) joined Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), Assistant to the Speaker Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-CT) to announce the Make it in America Agenda that will be before the House next week. The agenda includes Representative Matsui's Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act, H.R. 5156, which would boost the competiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry in both domestic and international markets.

The Make it in America Agenda is a manufacturing strategy based on the idea that when more products are made in America, more people will be able to make it in America. The Make it in America Agenda creates incentives for investment in industry, strengthen manufacturing infrastructure and innovation, and helps to level the playing field for American companies that compete globally.

Providing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to sell their products and create new jobs will have serious multiplier effects in our communities and local economies, said Congresswoman Matsui. It will help put families back to work, and provide our nation a much-needed boost in manufacturing that has severely declined in the last several decades. Investing in American-made technology and products is a clear path to economic recovery, renewed financial stability and measurable job growth.

H.R. 5156 would create a $15 million Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to support the development, implementation, and sustainability of a National Clean Energy Technology Export Strategy, and assist U.S. Clean Tech firms with export assistance by finding and navigating foreign markets to export their goods and services abroad. The Matsui legislation would also strengthen America's domestic clean tech manufacturing industry by promoting policies that will reduce production costs and encourage innovation, investment, and productivity in the clean energy technology industry here at home.

According to the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, more than 30 percent of non-exporting small and medium sized companies would export if they had more access to market information, export opportunities, and the export process. H.R. 5156 will provide the assistance many U.S. small businesses are seeking. H.R. 5156 will also enhance America's standing in the race to be the global leader in clean energy.

The Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act was introduced by Rep. Matsui on April 27, 2010 and passed unanimously out of the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee on June 30, 2010. It was passed with broad support in the full Energy and Commerce Committee on July 21, 2010. It is now scheduled to go to the House floor sometime next week.