National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4932

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Commerce

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-08-08: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-10-22T08:05:48Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The legislation aims to establish the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector. It creates a forum for ongoing dialogue between the federal government and manufacturing stakeholders, provides expert advice on policies affecting manufacturing (including workforce development and supply chain issues), and develops annual strategic plans to enhance U.S. competitiveness in global manufacturing.

Key Provisions

• Establishment and Timeline: The Secretary of Commerce must create the Advisory Council within 180 days of enactment, consulting with secretaries from Labor, Defense, Energy, the U.S. Trade Representative, and Education.
• Mission: The council serves as a communication platform between government and the manufacturing sector (including workers), advises on federal policies impacting manufacturing, and produces an annual national strategic plan with recommendations to maintain U.S. leadership in manufacturing investment.
• Duties:
• Hold meetings at least every 180 days to offer independent advice.
• Assess impacts of technology, skills, investments, and defense needs on U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
• Gather input from public, private sectors, and academia on manufacturing trends and federal program effectiveness.
• Identify global/domestic threats like supply chain disruptions and advise on responses.
• Recommend strategies for workforce support, including worker involvement in technology deployment, training priorities, job quality, access for underrepresented groups, and connections to education/apprenticeships.
• Suggest ways to link workers/businesses with training, coordinate employee engagement (e.g., ownership models), prevent job losses from new technologies, and solicit input from economically distressed areas (defined as regions meeting criteria under the Public Works and Economic Development Act, such as high unemployment or income loss) and areas hit by foreign competition.
• Complete tasks requested by the Secretary.
• Membership: Appointed by the Secretary for 3-year terms (renewable up to two times), with balanced representation from private industry (including small/medium manufacturers and trade groups), academia, and labor. Public recommendations for appointments are encouraged; terms can be staggered, and vacancies filled for the remainder of the term.
• National Strategic Plan: Submitted annually to the Secretary and specified congressional committees (covering commerce, education, energy, armed services, appropriations, and small business in both chambers), including a detailed activity report.
• Support and Operations: The Department of Commerce provides relevant information; the council is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA, which sets rules for federal advisory groups to ensure transparency and balance).
• Sunset Clause: The council terminates five years after its first meeting (on September 30 of that year).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Transfers all functions, personnel, assets, obligations, and unexpended funds from the existing United States Manufacturing Council (under the International Trade Administration) to the new Advisory Council, effectively replacing and expanding it.
• Any references to the old council in laws or documents are deemed to refer to the new one.
• Broadens the prior council's scope by emphasizing workforce development, training, employee ownership, input from distressed areas, and annual strategic planning—areas not explicitly detailed in the existing structure.
• Exempts the new council from FACA requirements, allowing more flexible operations without standard federal oversight for advisory committees.
• If an existing Department of Commerce advisory committee already aligns with these purposes, it can be modified within 90 days to serve as the new council, avoiding full recreation.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Commerce gains a dedicated advisory body for manufacturing policy, potentially streamlining interagency coordination (e.g., with Labor and Defense) but adding administrative duties for appointments and plan reviews. Congressional committees receive annual reports, influencing oversight and funding decisions.
• Citizens and Workers: Manufacturing workers, especially in distressed or competition-impacted areas, may benefit from enhanced focus on training, job retention, and career advancement, including apprenticeships and access for underrepresented groups. This could improve job quality and economic opportunities in affected communities.
• Manufacturing Sector: Businesses, particularly small/medium-sized ones, could see better federal support for supply chains, technology adoption, and competitiveness, fostering investment and reducing logistical challenges.
• International Relations: By addressing global trends, threats, and U.S. manufacturing preeminence, the council may indirectly support trade policies and defense readiness, potentially strengthening U.S. position against foreign competition without direct diplomatic changes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Manufacturing Industry: Private companies, small/medium manufacturers, trade associations, and standards organizations, who provide input and receive policy recommendations.
• Workers and Labor: Manufacturing employees, labor organizations, and underrepresented populations, benefiting from workforce-focused advice on training, participation, and job protection.
• Government Entities: Department of Commerce (leads establishment), other federal agencies (consulted for setup), and specified congressional committees (receive reports and recommendations).
• Education and Community Sectors: Academia, community/technical colleges, workforce development boards, and nonprofit trainers, involved in connecting with manufacturers for education and apprenticeships.
• Distressed Communities: Residents and businesses in economically challenged areas or those affected by foreign competition, prioritized for input and targeted support.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Exemption from FACA (Chapter 10 of Title 5, U.S. Code) streamlines operations by avoiding requirements for public notice, balanced membership, and record-keeping, but could raise concerns about transparency and accountability in advisory processes. The transfer of functions ensures continuity without legal gaps, and the sunset clause provides a built-in review mechanism.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority (Article I, Section 8) to regulate interstate commerce and promote economic welfare; no direct challenges to separation of powers, as it enhances executive advisory functions under congressional mandate.
• Political: Introduced bipartisanship (by Reps. Neguse and Mann) suggests broad support for manufacturing revival. The emphasis on workforce and distressed areas may appeal to labor and regional interests, while the five-year term limits long-term commitment, allowing future Congresses to reassess based on strategic plans. Potential for influencing appropriations and trade policies through committee involvement.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

Cosponsors (3)

Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

Recent Actions

• 2025-08-08: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-08-08: Introduced in House
• 2025-08-08: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act — issued 2025-08-08 — PDF (13 pages)