51�Թ���

Washington, D.C. –��Following the White House��Council��on��Environmental��Quality’s��Permitting Innovation Center’s��launch of the����tool,��a new pilot program aimed to speed up the environmental permitting process,��51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons��issued the following statement:��

“Our��government��must cut the red tape��to speed up��manufacturers’��ability to put shovels��in��the��ground, and a modern permitting system��needs��modern technology.��The White House CEQ’s��CE Works��pilot program��offers a promising path��to��modernize and accelerate federal environmental reviews—an important step��to��efficiently implementing��the��National Environmental Policy Act��by��quickly��helping agencies��identify��cases where time-consuming reviews are not necessary.����

“Reforming NEPA��is a key manufacturing priority and a core pillar of the��51�Թ���’s “Manufacturing’s��Roadmap to��AI and Energy Dominance.”��This tool provides agencies with a digital pathway to apply categorical exclusions under NEPA, and��increasing��the use of��CATEX��under NEPA—as our roadmap states—will��ensure��that critical energy and infrastructure projects can advance��without unnecessary delays through��unnecessary reviews.����

“Comprehensive, commonsense permitting reform must��get��done this year to provide certainty for manufacturers. We look forward to continuing to����and the administration on commonsense priorities to improve the permitting process so America’s manufacturers can invest, grow��jobs��and compete on the global stage.��We appreciate the White House CEQ for developing this innovative tool and taking��this step toward��meaningful��permitting reform.”��

-51�Թ���-����

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States,��representing��small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs��nearly��13��million men��and women, contributes��$2.90 trillion��to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.����

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000��

Washington, D.C. –��Following President Trump’s proclamation adjusting imports of processed critical minerals and semiconductors—two foundational inputs for manufacturing—51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons��issued the following statement:

“Yesterday’s moves build on the president’s long-standing commitment to expanding manufacturing capacity in the United States and represent a meaningful step toward strengthening the critical mineral supply chains that underpin our economic and national security. We appreciate the administration for clearly recognizing that the United States’ lack of domestic processing capacity is a central vulnerability. Outdated permitting laws and procedures are constraining our ability to mine and process domestic resources, modernize infrastructure, advance research and development, shore up supply chains and enhance American competitiveness.

“Manufacturers depend on secure, sustainable supply chains for critical minerals to make everything from defense technology and energy transmission to transportation systems, automotive parts and vehicles and a wide array of advanced industrial and consumer products made here in America.

“Beyond their ubiquity in defense technology, industrial and consumer vehicles and electronics, semiconductors are also critical components in manufacturing machinery and equipment. The decision to work to secure access to critical semiconductor inputs used to build out U.S. supply chains—such as semiconductors used in automotive applications, factory robotics and industrial machinery—sends a clear signal to manufacturers and will encourage further domestic manufacturing investment.

“Last year, the 51�Թ��� asked��Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to pursue new, enforceable agreements that lock in preferential access to critical mineral inputs as we work to reduce overreliance on China and rebalance critical input sourcing. We are encouraged by the administration’s commitment to pursue these trade deals aggressively.

“Manufacturers believe that innovative critical mineral trade agreements present a powerful opportunity to secure preferential access with trusted allied partners that have complementary assets, production capabilities and expertise. These agreements can also be used to unlock beneficial investment terms to leverage co-financing and pooled capital arrangements as well as support long-term offtake agreements that strengthen supply chain certainty. By deepening strategic partnerships with our allies, the U.S. can reduce vulnerability to geopolitical risks and address unfair trading practices.

“We will continue to work with��Congress and the��administration to support a robust and competitive U.S. critical minerals industry—durable trade deals coupled��with permitting reform to unlock domestic resources and processing—so��manufacturers of all sizes have reliable access to the materials needed to produce innovative, next-generation products��and to��grow, compete and create jobs.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Draper, Inc. is an unusual manufacturer: a company with 700 employees located in a town—Spiceland, Indiana—with only 900 residents. Draper President Chris Broome said the town would “look a lot different” without Draper, and the company has “grown with the community”—hiring many residents of Spiceland, working closely with the school system, supporting the town library and community center, helping with cleanup efforts and much more.

Since 1902: Draper was founded near the start of the 20th century. A family-owned firm now helmed by the fifth generation—and looking ahead to the sixth—Draper began by manufacturing window shades. Since its founding, it has expanded into many other product lines, including projection screens and gym equipment.

• Broome is the great-great-grandson of founder Luther O. Draper, and he says with pride that his son now works as a regional salesperson—and is expected to step into the leadership role someday.

Staying in Spiceland: The company’s relationship to Spiceland, meanwhile, is one of deep commitment and respect. Many of the company’s employees live in the town itself, though some live in neighboring locations.

• The company’s longstanding residence in Spiceland has allowed it to create a singular workforce—where people stay for 20, 30, even 40 years, said Broome.
• Just like the company’s founding family, these employees often pass down their commitment to Draper. There are “families of two to three generations” who work at the company—which is “unique and really interesting,” said Broome.
• One factory department head has been at Draper for 53 years, having started right after high school. Both his parents worked at Draper, too, Broome added.

Recruitment: The company encourages its workers to “grow with the company” and recruits heavily from local high schools. Not only do local highschoolers take internships at the company, but whole classes come to Draper for tours.

• Draper works closely with the school system to place interns in exactly the right department, with the strong support of Indiana’s state educational department, said Broome.
• The students do “real work” for the company, he stressed, adding that one of the program’s key benefits is the way it teaches kids basic skills applicable to any working environment—like showing up on time and not getting distracted by their phones.
• “We’re really trying to teach them the basics for having a career in the future, to expose them to possibilities,” said Broome.

Policy talk: Broome credits tax reform with enabling the expansion of his remarkable company.

• First, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s provisions—made permanent last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—helped Draper build its new 100,000-square-foot facility, said Broome. Draper also “invested in equipment and automation, including a new automated paint line,” as well as solar panels for the new facility’s roof that now provide about 40% of its electricity, thanks to the bill’s provision for immediate expensing for equipment purchases.
• Second, tax reform’s estate tax measure—also made permanent last year—has helped the company plan for its future. Broome now has “much more certainty about preserving the company for the future and the ability to pass it down from generation to generation,” he said.

A new century: What is Draper working on in its second century? Automation and artificial intelligence are “important initiatives,” said Broome.

• Draper has created a cross-functional employee group to explore how AI can be built into many daily functions, an initiative that has begun to pay off already. Meanwhile, automating some manual parts of production, like pushcarts and spray guns, has helped Draper streamline and regularize operations, while freeing workers to do higher-level tasks.
• “We know that to be competitive in the worldwide economy, we will have to focus on doing more,” Broome concluded.

Washington, D.C. –��Following the Department of Treasury’s announcement that the United States has finalized a side-by-side agreement with OECD allies that will��shield manufacturers in America from damaging taxes, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Thanks to President Trump, Secretary Bessent and the administration, this finalized side-by-side agreement—cementing the��initial agreement��reached in summer 2025—will protect��both domestic and foreign-headquartered manufacturers investing in the United States from oppressive, job-killing taxes. Heeding the call of our industry, this deal will shield manufacturers from damaging taxes that unfairly stifle job creation in the U.S.

“Furthermore, today’s finalized deal gives manufacturers greater certainty to unlock the full potential of the historic tax provisions of H.R. 1 that manufacturers championed.

“The side-by-side global tax system will ensure that manufacturers in the U.S. can compete on a level playing field, invest in their operations and hire more workers. In short, this deal is a massive triumph for manufacturers in the United States.”

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.��

733 10th St. NW, Suite 700 • Washington, DC 20001 • (202) 637-3000

Washington, D.C. – Following the release of President Trump’s executive order to direct federal agencies to institute much-needed reforms to proxy advisory firms, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers thank President Trump for taking action to rein in proxy advisory firms and depoliticize shareholder proposals—protecting manufacturers and Main Street investors alike. With Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis controlling 97% of the proxy advice market, manufacturers have long argued that these firms wield outsized, harmful influence on businesses—threatening growth and endangering shareholder returns.

“By directing federal agencies to protect manufacturers and Main Street investors from this duopoly, the president’s EO will increase transparency, reduce errors, mitigate conflicts of interest and depoliticize the proxy process. Manufacturers have been calling for these reforms for years, and we look forward to engaging with the SEC, DOL and FTC as they work to rein in these firms’ outsized influence.”

Background:

Following years of 51�Թ��� advocacy, the SEC finalized a rule during the first Trump administration to rein in proxy firms; the rule was rescinded in 2021 following the change in presidential administrations.

Earlier this year, the 51�Թ��� submitted detailed recommendations to the SEC of policies that would depoliticize the shareholder proposal process and provide meaningful oversight of proxy advisory firms. In November, the 51�Թ��� released a new five-pager detailing specific steps Congress and the SEC should take to reform proxy firms and depoliticize corporate shareholder proposals.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. –����In response��to President Trump’s executive order��on state��regulation of��artificial intelligence,��51�Թ�����President and CEO Jay Timmons��released the following statement:

“As the president demonstrates his commitment to both advancing American technological��dominance��and��bolstering investment in manufacturing, he is rightly recognizing��that��winning the global race for AI��hinges on getting��AI policy��right, which means avoiding a cumbersome 50-state patchwork of laws and regulations that would throttle��interstate commerce,��stifle innovation,��limit��AI��adoption��and��erode America’s competitive edge.

“As��we��laid out in ‘Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance,’��policymakers should review��existing laws��and��regulations to��identify��barriers to innovation,��ensure context-specific��rules,��encourage��transparency��and ensure a level playing field for developers and manufacturers alike.��AI innovations are already transforming shop floors across the country. Fifty-one percent of manufacturers surveyed by the ��already have embedded AI in their operations, and 80%��expect it to be essential for their operations by 2030.

“Manufacturers��support��the administration’s approach toward��avoiding a 50-state patchwork that would prevent America from winning the global AI race. Instead of a complex, costly and burdensome patchwork, manufacturers back tailored rules that narrowly��target��specific use-cases and well-identified risks without diminishing the potential breakthroughs and economic impact that could be harnessed by American innovators.��We encourage Congress to��emulate the president’s��risk-based��approach��with legislation��that will��codify��his administration’s��vision of a streamlined��and nimble AI agenda��to support��competition and American innovation.”

-51�Թ���-

Washington, D.C. – As the House considers critical permitting reform legislation before year’s end, manufacturers are urging House members to support commonsense reforms.

“The next two weeks in the House are going to be crucial to moving the needle on comprehensive, bipartisan permitting reform,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “In the spirit of the holiday season, we are calling for legislative action during this year-end work window to deliver a gift of a new, workable permitting system that will fuel America’s manufacturers. Over the next 12 days, the House is primed to tackle comprehensive permitting reform, which will boost American competitiveness and unlock greater investments in manufacturing in America.”

This week, manufacturers are urging House members to vote “yes” on the PERMIT Act. This legislation adopts the 51�Թ���’s key for modernizing the Clean Water Act—reforms that increase certainty for permittees, clarify the scope of the CWA and address bottlenecks that have delayed job-creating projects.

Manufacturers this week are also pressing for “yes” votes on the Improving Interagency Coordination for Pipeline Reviews Act, the ePermit Act and the Electric Supply Chain Act—all of which are critical to achieving manufacturers’ vision of energy and AI dominance.

As for next week, the House is planning to vote on the SPEED Act. This legislation is a cornerstone of Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance,��the 51�Թ���’s blueprint for securing America’s energy and AI leadership. By appropriately shortening environmental review timelines, limiting regulatory and legal uncertainty, expanding categorial exclusions, preventing duplicative reviews and reinforcing recent Supreme Court precedent on the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act, the SPEED Act will accelerate projects essential to meeting rising power demand and lowering energy costs.

Manufacturers also strongly back the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee action to advance key legislation to reform the Clean Air Act. From modernizing the New Source Review and National Ambient Air Quality Standards programs, to improving how the Environmental Protection Agency deals with wildfires and international emissions, these bills are integral to comprehensive permitting reform so manufacturers can get shovels in the ground quicker to expand investments and jobs.

“Congress has an opportunity over the next 12 days to demonstrate strong, bipartisan momentum on comprehensive permitting reform for America’s manufacturers. Manufacturers urge policymakers to seize the moment—pass the PERMIT Act and companion bills this week and the SPEED Act next week—and make it easier and more cost-efficient for manufacturers to get shovels in the ground on job-creating projects,” said Timmons.

Timmons added, “Permitting reform will strengthen manufacturing in America.��To turn this holiday package into real progress for the country, the Senate must take up the mantle in the new year and advance comprehensive permitting reforms that will empower manufacturers across the country to compete, invest and grow.”

Background:

Manufacturers have been building the case for commonsense permitting reform as part of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy to unleash investment, strengthen our energy future and cement U.S. leadership in emerging technologies, including AI. Eighty percent of manufacturers say the length and complexity of the permitting process is harmful to increasing investment, 87% say they would expand operations, hire more workers or increase wages and benefits if permitting were streamlined, and 68% of manufacturers with permittable projects say they could expand more quickly with a modernized federal permitting system.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – Following the Department of the Interior’s announcement today of a new offshore leasing program, 51�Թ��� Managing Vice President of Policy Charles Crain released the following statement:

“Manufacturers welcome the Department of the Interior’s plan to expand offshore oil and gas development. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum is taking a critical step to unleash American energy dominance and drive down energy prices. Today’s action also underscores the need to advance streamlined, durable permitting reform that ensures new energy projects can move forward quickly while protecting the environment.”

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – Today, 51�Թ��� Managing Vice President of Policy Charles Crain testified before the House Small Business Committee at its hearing, “Made in the USA: How Main Street Is Revitalizing Domestic Manufacturing.”

In his testimony, Crain thanked the Small Business Committee for its leadership on the recent tax reform package, which made pro-growth, pro-manufacturing tax policy a permanent part of the tax code, giving small and medium-sized manufacturers much-needed certainty. However, by addressing other ongoing challenges, Congress can strengthen and protect the success of H.R. 1.

In his opening remarks, Crain outlined the opportunities:

“Congress and the administration can pursue what we’ve called a ‘comprehensive manufacturing strategy.’

• That means rebalancing unworkable regulations and reforming America’s broken permitting process;
• It means investing in our nation’s infrastructure and supporting American energy dominance;
• It means providing trade certainty that empowers manufacturers to make things in America;
• And it means investing in the manufacturing workforce of the future.

“We need all of these policies to build on the success of tax reform, to unlock small manufacturing growth and to drive a true manufacturing renaissance.”

He closed his remarks by encouraging the committee to build on this year’s success:

“This is the road to a manufacturing renaissance. It runs through a comprehensive manufacturing strategy—ensuring that all parts of the federal government are rowing in the same direction: toward an empowered, emboldened, exceptional manufacturing industry.

“Backed by the right policy choices, small manufacturers will deliver—for our communities, for our country and for our preeminence on the world stage.

“Because when manufacturing wins, America wins.”

Read Crain’s full written testimony here.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

WASHINGTON, D.C.—��The 51�Թ��� today released Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance, a blueprint outlining the steps policymakers must take to strengthen America’s energy and artificial intelligence dominance—including comprehensive permitting reform.

Manufacturers are leading the way—integrating AI into every part of their operations, from product design, to shop floor operations, to supply chain management. More than half of manufacturers (51%) already use AI, and 80% say it will be essential to grow or even maintain their business by 2030, according to the , the digital transformation division of the 51�Թ���.

The roadmap lays out principles that will advance U.S. energy production and, in turn, unlock the full potential of AI. AI is transforming manufacturing—but without abundant, affordable energy and a resilient and reliable power grid, America risks falling behind. AI-powered modern manufacturing depends on an ambitious energy and innovation policy framework—which can be achieved in part by reforms to America’s broken permitting system.

“Manufacturing sits at the crossroads of America’s energy dominance, AI leadership and the strength of our power grid,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “If America wants to win the global race for AI, we must first win on energy. That means advancing the administration’s goals for energy dominance—through bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform, modernized infrastructure and an all-of-the-above energy strategy that allows manufacturers to innovate, build and grow right here at home.”

AI-powered manufacturing depends on forward-looking energy and innovation policies. Policymakers must do the following:

• Reform America’s broken permitting process to get shovels in the ground faster—with fewer delays and less uncertainty. Eighty percent of manufacturers say that the length and complexity of the permitting process is harmful to increasing investment.
• Bolster American energy dominance. America’s energy demand is surging—and the pace isn’t slowing. Manufacturers need to be able to produce and use every energy source available to meet this critical moment. Ninety-four percent of manufacturers support permitting reforms around the buildout of energy generation, infrastructure and products.
• Ensure a reliable, resilient and affordable grid that can power manufacturing growth and data center operations. Eighty percent of manufacturers want the Trump administration to work with Congress to deliver comprehensive permitting reform legislation to increase energy generation and grid modernization to supply the energy needed to power both AI growth and traditional manufacturing.
• Strengthen American AI leadership by fostering innovation and preventing regulatory overreach. Eighty-seven percent of manufacturers say it is important for lawmakers to understand how manufacturers use AI.

Read the full roadmap here.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.90��trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 51�Թ��� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.