Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act
- Bill Number
- S. 99
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-24: Held at the desk.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-09T14:16:23Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act (S. 99) aims to enhance the Department of Commerce's programs by requiring a comprehensive report that evaluates and recommends improvements to efforts supporting critical supply chain resilience (the ability of essential production systems to handle disruptions) and manufacturing and industrial innovation (activities that aid U.S. manufacturers through resources, technology, and policy).
Key Provisions
- Definitions: The Act defines key terms, including:
- Appropriate committees of Congress: The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Covered offices and bureaus: Department of Commerce units involved in supply chain resilience or manufacturing innovation.
- Critical supply chain: End-to-end systems turning raw materials into finished products in vital sectors like defense, public health, information technology, energy, transportation, and agriculture.
- Critical supply chain resilience: Actions to reduce risks from sabotage, manipulation, or interruptions like shortages.
- Manufacturing and industrial innovation: Support for U.S. manufacturers via assistance, research, technology partnerships, or policy development.
- Secretary: The Secretary of Commerce.
- Required Assessment Report (Section 3(a)):
- The Secretary must produce a report within one year of enactment identifying Commerce Department offices and bureaus responsible for supply chain resilience and manufacturing innovation.
- The report assesses each unit's duties, programs, expertise, purpose, legal authority, effectiveness, efficiency, and limitations.
- It identifies overlaps or gaps in responsibilities within the Department.
- It includes recommendations to boost effectiveness, such as optimizing internal operations, improving coordination among units, and enhancing collaboration with other federal agencies on similar activities.
- External Expertise (Section 3(b)):
- The Secretary must contract with the National Academy of Public Administration (an independent, non-profit organization advising on government operations) to help produce the report.
- Submission to Congress (Section 3(c)):
- Within 180 days of completing the report, the Secretary must submit it to the appropriate congressional committees, along with:
- Suggestions for legislative changes based on the report's recommendations.
- The Secretary's official response to those recommendations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This Act introduces no direct amendments to prior laws. Instead, it mandates a one-time study and reporting process to evaluate and potentially refine existing Department of Commerce authorities and programs, without altering statutes or budgets immediately.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could streamline operations within the Department of Commerce by addressing duplications and improving inter-agency coordination, leading to more efficient use of resources for supply chain and manufacturing support. Other federal agencies (e.g., those in defense or energy) may benefit from better collaboration.
- On Citizens: U.S. manufacturers, workers, and communities in critical sectors could see indirect gains through stronger, more resilient supply chains, potentially reducing shortages and supporting job stability in manufacturing.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. supply chain resilience in sectors like defense and technology might strengthen national security and economic competitiveness globally.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Commerce: Offices and bureaus (e.g., those handling trade, technology, and economic development) directly involved in the assessment and potential reforms.
- Congressional Committees: The specified Senate and House committees, which receive the report and may pursue follow-up legislation.
- U.S. Manufacturing Sector: Businesses, workers, and innovators in critical supply chains, who could benefit from improved federal support.
- National Academy of Public Administration: Engaged as a contractor for the study.
- Other Federal Agencies: Those with overlapping roles in supply chains (e.g., Department of Defense or Energy), affected by coordination recommendations.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The Act relies on the Secretary's existing authority under various commerce-related statutes; it imposes no new enforcement powers but promotes accountability through congressional oversight.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's enumerated powers over commerce (Article I, Section 8), focusing on domestic economic policy without raising separation-of-powers concerns.
- Political: Signals bipartisan emphasis on bolstering American manufacturing amid global supply chain challenges, potentially influencing future budgets or policies without partisan mandates. The involvement of an independent academy ensures objective analysis, reducing risks of internal bias.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-24: Held at the desk.
- 2025-10-24: Received in the House.
- 2025-10-23: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 2025-10-23: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7734; text: CR S7734-7735)
- 2025-10-23: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-03-31: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 35.
- 2025-03-31: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-9.
- 2025-03-31: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-9.
- 2025-02-05: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2025-01-15: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 2025-01-15: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act — issued 2025-10-23 — PDF (8 pages)
- Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act — issued 2025-01-15 — PDF (5 pages)
- Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (8 pages)