Without question, America’s manufacturing sector has played a critical role in propelling the American economy to a position of world leadership, while helping create a vibrant middle class. America is still the world’s largest manufacturing economy, with 21 percent of the world’s manufacturing value added here. But in recent years, particularly during the Bush administration when America lost nearly a third of its manufacturing jobs, domestic manufacturing has been on the decline. Today the sector accounts for 12 percent of GDP and just 11 percent of the private-sector workforce. For the United States to fully achieve a strong and sustained economic recovery, we need a vibrant manufacturing sector, as its strength or weakness carries implications for the entire economy, our national security, and the wellbeing of all Americans.
Through his "Make It in America" plan, House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) has been leading the discussion in Congress on how the United States can implement policies to create the conditions necessary to help businesses manufacture goods, innovate, and create jobs in America. Please join Rep. Hoyer as he delivers a major policy speech on the role of manufacturing in building and sustaining a strong economy. Rep. Hoyer will also announce new proposals to help U.S. manufacturers lead our recovery forward.