American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 9097

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Last Updated

2026-07-08T18:41:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

## Purpose The legislation establishes the American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program to strengthen the U.S. manufacturing workforce by facilitating international training exchanges with allied nations. It aims to address labor shortages, skill gaps, and offshoring effects through work-based learning, apprenticeships, and knowledge sharing in key sectors.

## Key Provisions

• Creates the Program, administered by the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, limited to no more than 10 U.S. participants per year.
• Outlines purposes including promoting workforce exchanges in sectors such as robotics, semiconductors, aeronautics, energy, and automotive; building manufacturer relations with allied nations; and reducing reliance on foreign manufacturing for national security-related items.
• Sets participant eligibility requiring U.S. citizenship, relevant apprenticeship or trade experience (or enrollment in a qualifying institution), and language proficiency. Additional factors include management, teaching, or supervisory experience.
• Structures the Program with approved work plans, placements in allied-nation manufacturing entities, pre-travel orientation, hands-on training, professional development, and post-program credentials. Durations are up to 12 months, with one possible 6-month renewal.
• Provides stipends covering living expenses, travel, visas, health care, and training materials.
• Requires annual reports to congressional committees on participants, placements, outcomes, and fund use.
• Includes provisions for coordination with allied governments, a study on future expansion, and a 2-year sunset date.

## Significant Changes to Existing Law This bill introduces a new international exchange program under the Department of State, without amending existing statutes. It references definitions from Title 10 and Title 29 of the U.S. Code and aligns with the Manufacturing USA program, but creates standalone authority for participant selection, stipends, and reporting.

## Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Involves the Departments of State, Labor, and Commerce in administration, placement, and credentialing; requires coordination with diplomatic posts and Manufacturing USA.
• Citizens: Provides training opportunities and credentials for U.S. manufacturing workers, apprentices, and students, potentially improving job prospects in high-skill sectors.
• International relations: Strengthens ties with allied nations through workforce exchanges and best-practice sharing, while excluding covered nations from participation.

## Main Stakeholders Affected

• U.S. manufacturing workers, apprentices, and vocational students.
• Allied-nation governments, manufacturing companies, and technical institutions.
• Federal agencies including the Department of State, Department of Labor, and Department of Commerce.
• Manufacturing USA, labor organizations, and higher education institutions involved in manufacturing training.

## Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill operates within Congress's authority over foreign affairs and appropriations, delegating implementation to the executive branch via the Assistant Secretary. It emphasizes national security by limiting participation to allied nations with large manufacturing bases and excluding certain adversarial countries. The short 2-year sunset and small participant cap reflect a pilot-scale approach with built-in review mechanisms.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-4]

Cosponsors (7)

Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Kim, Young [R-CA-40], Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12], Rep. Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large], Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-02: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
• 2026-06-02: Introduced in House
• 2026-06-02: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-02 — PDF (20 pages)