PRIA Logo™
119-hr-2832119th CongressWALLET

Defend American Manufacturing Act

Sponsored By: Representative Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Introduced

Summary

Ties the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership's continuation to annual congressional funding and makes nationwide MEP awards mandatory. The Defend American Manufacturing Act would require the Secretary of Commerce, acting through NIST, to keep operating the Hollings MEP only when Congress provides annual appropriations and to run competitions and awards across the entire country.

Show full summary
  • Manufacturers and small factories: Would see continued access to the Hollings MEP only if Congress funds it each fiscal year, preserving the program as a funded option rather than guaranteeing funding.
  • State MEP centers and Puerto Rico: Would be subject to a required nationwide competition, renewal, and award process covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico, which could change how local centers win or keep grants.
  • Department of Commerce/NIST leadership: Would face a new mandatory duty because the bill replaces a discretionary "may" with a required "shall" in the NIST Act, forcing action under that authority when funding exists.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Nationwide help for small manufacturers

This bill would require the Commerce Department, through NIST, to compete, renew, and award manufacturing help centers. Centers would be in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It would start in fiscal year 2025 and continue only in years when Congress funds the MEP under NIST’s Industrial Technology Services heading. It also would change a prior "may" to "shall," making action mandatory when funded. The "shall" change would take effect upon enactment. If passed, small manufacturers could see steadier access to centers, but the level of help would depend on yearly appropriations.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

KS • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-18]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 4/10/2025

  • Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation