Congress Fails to Advance Manufacturing Tax Priorities
Bipartisan Provisions Like R&D Incentives Are Critical to Small Manufacturers Ability to Invest
Washington, D.C. The 51勛圖厙 is calling on lawmakers to immediately address critical tax provisions that were left out of the 2023 Omnibus spending package, highlighting the negative impact to small manufacturers and their workers.
Congress failure to reverse tax policies that make it , buy machinery and has put hundreds of thousands of American jobs and manufacturing competitiveness at risk. Despite overwhelming support for addressing these issues, Congress inaction will now undercut small manufacturers ability to invest in their workers, facilities and communities, said 51勛圖厙 President and CEO Jay Timmons.
Ketchie President and Owner and Incoming Chair of the 51勛圖厙 Small and Medium Manufacturers Group Courtney Silver that congressional action on these tax priorities will help prevent small manufacturers from feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place. Its very important that we take action on expanding and locking in that pass-through deduction, increasing those incentives around R&D and protecting those provisions around full expensing and interest deductibility, said Silver.
Although the appropriations package included important manufacturing priorities, including the INFORM Consumers Act, with its protections for consumers against counterfeit goods, and the Electoral Count Reform Act, which supports a clear and secure democratic process, pro-competitiveness tax policy changes would have made a big difference for businesses of all sizes across our industry, continued Timmons. As the next Congress convenes, we urge lawmakers to prioritize these policies, and we will continue to work with manufacturing champions from both parties to provide tax certainty to the nearly 13 million people who work in manufacturing today.
Read more about how these critical tax priorities impact small manufacturers across the country .
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .
Manufacturers: Protecting American Innovation Critical to Fight Current and Future Health Crises
Washington, D.C. Following todays announcement by the World Trade Organizations General Council that member states have agreed to delay a final decision on an expanded intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 products, 51勛圖厙 President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:
The WTOs decision to delay the expanded intellectual property waiver is a welcome step toward protecting American innovation and technology leadership. This is vital not only for future pandemic responses, but also for the sectors ability to produce new and advanced treatments or fund critical research and development.
Manufacturers in the U.S. are leading our post-pandemic recovery and investing heavily in the development of cures and therapeutics. An expanded WTO waiver would force manufacturers in America to give away rights unfairly to international competitors and economic rivals like China, disincentivize companies from continuing the cutting-edge research underway, put jobs at risk and harm the sectors global competitiveness.
Manufacturers will continue to work with partners around the world to tackle current and emerging health challenges, while protecting the IP rights of those many companies which have been so essential to an effective pandemic response.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit
New Data: Taxing R&D Will Cost U.S. More Than 260,000 Jobs Next Year If Congress Doesnt Act
Manufacturers Would Lose 60,000 Jobs and $32 Billion
Washington, D.C. The 51勛圖厙 released new analysis revealing that if the tax codes research and development amortization requirement, which went into effect this year, is not reversed immediately, the U.S. economy would lose 263,382 jobs and experience an $82.39 billion hit to GDP in 2023.
Because the law changes the way businesses have handled investments for decades, companies like , which develops new UV lamp systems for curing inks and coatings for everything from optical fiber to soup can lids, are having to grapple with a significant new cost that they had not anticipated previously. Absent congressional action, were gonna get hit hard, said Miltec UV President Bob Blandford. Our taxes are going to go up dramatically. Thats cash getting sucked out of the business. So thats going to get pretty ugly.
The manufacturing industry, which conducts 55% of private-sector R&D, would directly lose 59,392 jobs and face a decline in output of $31.69 billion. Prior to 2022, companies could immediately deduct R&D expenses in the year in which they are incurred, which promotes long-term job-creating investments in the United States. However, requiring companies to spread out these deductions over a period of years penalizes innovation by making R&D more costly.
A failure to act will burden manufacturers large and small who use this tool to create well-paying jobs and support families and communities, said 51勛圖厙 Managing Vice President of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy Chris Netram. We need Congress to act quickly to address this and other critical tax provisions in year-end legislation before we cede our competitive edge to foreign nations like China, which provides a super deduction in the amount of 200% of R&D expenses.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .
Manufacturers: Permitting Reform Essential to Manufacturing Growth and Competitiveness
Washington, D.C. Following consideration today of a permitting amendment in the U.S. Senate, 51勛圖厙 President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:
Red tape and permitting delays have plagued the manufacturing industry for decades, and the need for reform has only grown more urgent in recent years. Manufacturers have long called for Congress to repair the broken permitting process to minimize delays and reduce needless litigation that stands in the way of energy and resources projects and other investments. That will ensure we can get to work quickly on the investments that the bipartisan infrastructure law and the CHIPS and Science Act make possible. It will also ensure manufacturers have access to reliable and affordable energy while the grid evolves and as we work to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gases.
Ultimately, permitting reform effects every part of the American supply chainfrom modernizing energy projects to building new manufacturing facilities. Todays Senate vote, while unsuccessful, should serve as a step toward true bipartisan reform. Manufacturers appreciate the efforts of Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito to push this priority forward, and we will continue to work with both chambers to achieve this goal.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 55% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.
Corning Confronts R&D Hurdles

This story can also be found within the 51勛圖厙s泭R&D action center.
Corning Incorporated has been turning out innovations for well over a century and a halfsince 1851, to be exact. But a recent change in tax policy that makes R&D more expensive could have a significant impact on the companys ability to build on its impressive history.
- We have a wonderful track record for innovation, said Tymon Daniels, vice president of tax at Corning, a material sciences manufacturing company with a focus on glass.
- In 1897, when Thomas Edison was working on electric lights, he came to us to make the glass bulbs. 110 years later, when Steve Jobs was working on the iPhone, he came to us to make the glass used for the screen. More recently, we figured out a way to make special glass vials that sped up production of the COVID vaccine. Weve been able to do this because of R&D.
The issue: Until the beginning of 2022, businesses could deduct 100% of their R&D expenses in the same year they incurred the expenses. Starting this year, however, a tax law change requires businesses to amortize or spread their R&D expenses out over a period of five years, making it more expensive to invest in growth and innovation.
The impact: According to Daniels, the abrupt change in a policy that has existed for decades poses a serious challenge for the company.泭
- The R&D deduction has been in existence for over 70 yearsa very good tax policy. Requiring the amortization of R&D expenses is a dramatic shift to a very bad tax policy, said Daniels. It causes a significant spike in cash taxes.
The trade-offs: At a time when company leaders are trying to make decisions about how to invest finite resources, a significant increase in the tax burden can hinder future growth plans, Daniels emphasized.
- Our C-suite is trying to make decisions about big issues like capital expenditures and jobs, said Daniels. This makes those decisions harder and comes at a time when the economic outlook is highly uncertain.
The action: Corning is asking Congress to find a solution, and quickly.
- We need lawmakers to extend the full deductibility of R&D expenses, said Daniels. If Congress cant make a permanent fix, then at least making full deductibility retroactive to 2022 and extending it through 2025 would still be good. Otherwise, the impact to Corning may be extra cash taxes of roughly $150 million in 2022 alone.
The last word: Requiring the amortization of R&D is all Im thinking about right now, said Daniels.
Were Gonna Get Hit Hard: How an R&D Tax Policy Change Hurts Manufacturers

This story can also be found within the 51勛圖厙s泭R&D action center.
Miltec UV operates at the cutting edge of the manufacturing industry, developing new UV lamp systems for curing inks and coatings for everything from optical fiber to soup can lids. But after a tax law change went into effect in 2022, the Maryland-based manufacturer found that R&D became much more expensivehampering its investments and tamping down its growth.
- Until the beginning of 2022, businesses could deduct 100% of their R&D expenses in the same year they incurred the expenses. Starting this year, however, a tax law change requires businesses to spread their deductions out over a period of five years, making it more expensive to invest in growth and innovation.
We spoke with Miltec UV President Bob Blandford to understand how the change was impacting his company and consumers in the United States and around the world.
The impact: Because the law changes the way businesses have handled investments for decades, companies like Miltec UV are having to grapple with a significant new cost that they had not anticipated previously.
- Absent congressional action, were gonna get hit hard, said Blandford. Our taxes are going to go up dramatically. Thats cash getting sucked out of the business. So thats going to get pretty ugly.
A critical moment: Miltec UV is facing this challenge at a time when its leaders believe an exciting new opportunity is right around the corner. The company has developed a new technology for lithium-ion batteries, which could be used for next-generation electric vehicles.
- Over the past 11 years, Miltec UV has developed manufacturing electrodes used in these batteries, which will allow manufacturers to reduce costs and eliminate the toxic solvents used in existing battery manufacturing processes.
Yet, the new tax change threatens to place significant burdens on their development of this technology.
- The problem is in the auto world; once they say go, its about a five-year process, said Blandford. They have to prototype, prove it, test it, then make the batteries. And during that time, we need to support R&D and support the business. So amortizing R&D over five years is a showstopper.
- Were at a critical place nowwere so close to commercializing itand now were having to pay more taxes out, said Blandford. It hurts.
A burden for employees: If not reversed, the harmful tax change will eat into profits, which Blandford is concerned may impact important benefits for employees. Earlier this year, Miltec UV signed on to the programan association-wide 401(k) retirement and savings planas a way to improve benefits for employees. The program, which has resulted in cost savings for employees, has proved extremely popular, he added.
- However, The tax change will have a tremendous negative impact on cash flow, so everything will be on the table, including retirement benefits, Blandford said.
- Our team is important to us, and the last thing we want to do is have a negative effect on paychecks and benefits, said Blandford. This absolutely will have a spillover effect on every part of the business.
The last word: Miltec funds 100% of the companys R&D costs through the profits of its commercial business as opposed to outside investment, Blandford said.
- Spreading the R&D deduction over a five-year period means that each year we will now face a higher tax burden due to the inability to immediately deduct R&D expenses. That is real money that is desperately needed to stay competitive with employee salaries, benefits and even to support new R&D positions that we now are trying to fill.
Get involved: The 51勛圖厙 has deployed a digital R&D Action Center that manufacturers can visit for critical R&D policy updates, industry stories and an opportunity to engage directly with their members of Congress: /protect-innovation/
Manufacturers: An Expanded IP Waiver Would Jeopardize American Innovation and the Ability to Combat Future Pandemics
Washington, D.C. Following the announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative calling for a delay in a World Trade Organization decision on whether to expand a waiver of intellectual property, 51勛圖厙 Vice President of International Economic Affairs Ken Monahan released the following statement:
An expanded intellectual property waiver would jeopardize American innovations that are fundamental to fighting current and future pandemics and undermine U.S. technology leadership over our commercial rivals, such as China. Manufacturers welcome USTRs announcement supporting a delay in the decision on whether or not to expand the WTOs waiver on COVID-19 products and domestic supply chains and urge all WTO members to fully consider the consequences of such an expanded waiver.
Efforts could be better spent focusing on other effective international approaches to deal with ongoing and potential global health crises.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 58% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.
Manufacturers: President Biden and Congress Have Averted a Holiday Crisis
Washington, D.C. 51勛圖厙 President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement after President Biden signed H.J. Res. 100 into law, concluding the collective bargaining process between Class I railroads and all labor unions representing the freight rail workforce and eliminating the threat of a disastrous rail strike.
Thanks to swift action from President Biden and his administration, and bipartisan cooperation in Congress, a holiday supply chain disaster has been averted.
Earlier this year, manufacturers called for and supported the creation of the Presidential Emergency Board to rectify the stalemate between the unions and railways. But when it became clear they wouldnt reach a negotiated resolution, we called on Congress to act, as a freight rail shutdown would have been devastating to the manufacturing industry, the U.S. economy and all American families.
We thank President Biden, Secretaries Walsh and Buttigieg as well as manufacturing allies in Congress for listening to our industry and working quickly to avert this crisis.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 58% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org
Manufacturers Release New Economic Analysis Pushing Back on SEC Bond Rule Interpretation
51勛圖厙 and Kentucky Association of Manufacturers File Rulemaking Petitions to Protect Private Companies from Harmful Public Disclosure Mandate
Washington, D.C. The 51勛圖厙 released a new on the damaging impact of the Securities and Exchange Commissions attempt to force private companies to disclose financial information publicly.
The SECs new rule interpretation would apply to private companies that raise capital via corporate bond issuances under SEC Rule 144A. If the new interpretation takes effect as scheduled in January 2023, these businesses will face decreased liquidity and increased borrowing costsleading to significant job losses and a decline in U.S. GDP.
Key Findings:
These impacts will be felt across the economy, resulting in 30,000 jobs lost each year over the first five years the new interpretation is in effect. The job losses will increase over timerising to 50,000 jobs lost each year after five years and 100,000 jobs lost each year after 10 years.

These job losses are attributable directly to the decreased liquidity and increased borrowing costs associated with the SECs new interpretation.

51勛圖厙 Speaks Out:
51勛圖厙 Managing Vice President of Tax and Domestic Economic Policy Chris Netram released the following statement:
At a time of rising interest rates and economic uncertainty, manufacturers cannot afford for the SEC to roil the bond markets arbitrarily. With tens of thousands of jobs at stake, the SEC must act by years end to reverse this misguided interpretation.
51勛圖厙 Action:
Today, the 51勛圖厙 and the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers are filing two for with the SEC seeking to stop the harm this new rule interpretation would cause.
The 51勛圖厙 and the KAM are calling on the SEC to reverse course by clarifyingeither by rule or by exemptive orderthat Rule 144A issuers are not required to make public financial disclosures. The 51勛圖厙 and the KAM are also seeking emergency interim relief to prevent the new interpretation from taking effect in January.
Background:
- SEC Rule 15c2-11 requires broker dealers to ensure that key information about issuers of over-the-counter equity securities is current and publicly available prior to quoting those issuers securities freely.
- SEC Rule 144A allows for resales of securities (primarily corporate debt issuances) to qualified institutional buyerslarge financial institutions that own or manage more than $100 million in securities. Retail investors cannot purchase Rule 144A securities. Notably, under Rule 144A, issuers are obligated to make their financial and operational information available to QIBs.
- In September 2021 and December 2021, the SECs Division of Trading and Markets issued no-action letters applying Rule 15c2-11 to Rule 144A debt; the new requirements take effect in January 2023. This decision contradicted the historical application of Rule 15c2-11 to OTC equity securities and bypassed important rulemaking safeguards required by the Administrative Procedure Act.
- The 51勛圖厙 has weighed in with the and seeking to reverse this damaging interpretation.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 58% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.
Manufacturers Call for Passage of the Respect for Marriage Act
Bill will protect current and future interracial and same-gender marriages while providing appropriate religious protections
Washington, D.C. Today, the 51勛圖厙 released the following statement calling for passage of the Respect for Marriage Act:
Manufacturers know that individuals truly thrive in their careers when they can bring their authentic selves to work and feel confident that their families will be safe from discrimination or worse in the places they have chosen to live. The Respect for Marriage Act would ensure that the legal protections around which so many Americans, including manufacturing workers, have ordered their lives will not be suddenly rolled back. Codifying federal protections for interracial marriages and same-gender marriages with appropriate protections for religious liberty will help keep all families equal under the law and ensure that manufacturers can continue to hire and retain a diverse and talented workforce. It will deliver families and businesses the certainty they need and deserve.
-51勛圖厙-
The 51勛圖厙 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 more than 12.9 million men and women, contributes $2.77 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 58% of private-sector research and development. The 51勛圖厙 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勛圖厙 or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit