Standing With Chair of House Democratic Caucus, Cicilline Highlights Make it in America Agenda at NEC Conversation on Advanced Manufacturing

Building on his reputation as a leading advocate for American manufacturing, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI) today played a pivotal role in the New England Council’s Congressional Conversation on Advanced Manufacturing.

“The strength of American manufacturing helped establish our nation as a global superpower in the 20th century, and reinvigorating this sector of our economy is critical to building a 21st century economy that is built to last for middle class families,” said Cicilline.  “Today’s discussion brought policymakers and businesspeople together to highlight the areas we need to improve if we want to put our country back to work.”

Cicilline, who is serving his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, joined Congressman John Larson (D-CT), who serves as the House Democratic Caucus Chairman – the fourth-highest leadership post for House Democrats.  Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) also took part in the event along with area small business advocates and public officials.

During his first term in Congress, Cicilline has introduced the Make it in America Block Grant Program Act in order to provide targeted block grants to help small to medium-sized manufacturers retool their factories and retrain workers.  In addition, he has introduced the House version of the Offshoring Prevention Act, which would eliminate tax breaks that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas.

Recently, Cicilline signed on as a cosponsor of the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, which recently passed in committee with bipartisan support, and brings together the public and private sector to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy for the United States.  Cicilline is also a cosponsor of the Scaling Up Manufacturing Act, legislation that would allow businesses to access tax credits for the lease or construction of their first domestic manufacturing facility.

“Today’s discussion was an important and necessary step in our work to promote New England’s small business owners, innovators and entrepreneurs to the rest of the world,” added Cicilline.  “As we work to get our state back on the right track, it is important that every agency of government works together so that hardworking Rhode Islanders have the resources they need to provide for themselves and their families.”

The New England Council, an alliance of public and private organizations that work to promote economic growth, hosted today’s event, which featured three discussion panels and a keynote address delivered by Michael Molnar, the Chief Manufacturing Officer of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Director of the Interagency National Program Office for Advanced Manufacturing.

In addition to delivering opening remarks for the program, Cicilline participated in a panel discussion on “Federal Investment in Innovation: Creating Access for Manufacturers,” as well as “Advanced New England Manufacturing: Creating Global Markets for New England Products.”