51�Թ���

Washington, D.C.��–��Upon��the successful liftoff��of Artemis II��from��NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in��Cape��Canaveral, Florida,��51�Թ�����President��and CEO Jay Timmons��issued the following statement.

“What��a powerful moment for our country—and a reminder of what manufacturers in the United States make possible. Today’s successful launch of Artemis II��is��a��triumph for��NASA,��for American��leadership��and for the��13 million people��who make things��in America,” said Timmons.

“The mission is a manufacturing marvel—built by companies of every size, in communities across America.��Artemis��II reflects the strength of an industry that drives innovation, supports millions of��jobs��and powers our economy.��It has brought people together—from different��corners of our nation��and around the world—under��the NASA logo and��the��American��flag.��When��manufacturers��in the United States��are able to��invest, grow and compete, the results��don’t��just reach the launchpad,��they lift us��all up.

“As we approach America’s 250th��anniversary,��this mission��represents��who��we are and what we can achieve.��Across this country, people will look up at the night sky and see what manufacturers in the United States can do—and decide��to create,��innovate��and lead.��We are proud��of the people and companies behind this mission, and we are cheering on the Artemis��II crew as they carry forward a legacy of American ingenuity. We look forward to their safe return.”

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NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman recently joined 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler,��who��hosted the inaugural SBA Supplier Expo in Charlotte—convening��manufacturers, small business��suppliers��and federal leaders to strengthen supply chain connections and expand opportunities for businesses of all sizes.

-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 $2.95 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. – 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the recent passing of John Luke, chair of the 51�Թ��� Board of Directors (2005–2006) and member of the 51�Թ��� Board (2001–2016):

“John Luke was a titan for manufacturers, a pillar in the communities he served and a champion for the people who make things in America.

“As our board chair, John’s passion for the strength and success of manufacturing was matched only by his steady focus on credible and durable solutions. Thoughtful and considerate, he knew how to ask the right questions—and hard questions—of policymakers. Grounded in his credibility, John earned the respect of lawmakers from both parties, business leaders across industries and partners not only in the United States but around the globe—bolstering the 51�Թ���’s reach on behalf of the manufacturers powering America’s prosperity.

“That focus on sustainable success, on intentional leadership, on meaningful change defined every step of John’s life and career—in his dedication to his country as an officer in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service; through his decades of leadership at the global packaging giant Smurfit WestRock and its predecessors, MeadWestvaco and Westvaco; and in his service on the boards of major institutions spanning industry, education and public policy, including the American Enterprise Institute, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the commercial property insurance company FM Global and Virginia Commonwealth University, among many others.

“John’s tireless advocacy for our industry and our workforce was rooted in the fact that his family’s story is a manufacturing story.

“In the 1880s, John’s family founded the Piedmont Pulp & Paper Company in Piedmont, West Virginia. That company evolved over the decades to become Westvaco, where John took the helm as CEO and chairman in 1992. Shortly after John joined the 51�Թ��� Board of Directors in 2001, Westvaco merged with the Mead Paper Company—a company close to my heart, where my grandfather worked in the Chillicothe, Ohio, plant for over 40 years.

“Nearly two decades ago, in an interview at the Wharton School of Business—where he had earned his M.B.A.—John said that ‘It is imperative for all aspiring leaders to determine answers to the critical questions of ‘What change?,’ ‘Why change?’ and ‘How change?’ if meaningful sustainable success is to be achieved from your efforts.’

“In his life, John asked what must change, why and how—and answered each question with conviction. Manufacturing in the United States, the people we hire and the communities we serve are all stronger as a result.

“The 51�Թ��� today reflects John’s legacy: an institution with a steady focus on sustainable solutions. We send our deepest sympathies to Kathleen and the entire Luke family.”

-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��$2.95��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. – Manufacturers today welcomed President Trump’s national AI legislative framework for its practical, pro-growth policy recommendations to advance U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

51�Թ��� Executive Vice President Erin Streeter issued the following statement urging Congress to take up policies to advance AI innovation:

“Manufacturers support a��consistent federal framework that emphasizes innovation and avoids a cumbersome 50-state patchwork, and President Trump’s announcement today reflects this approach. The president’s commonsense AI framework��will remove barriers to innovation and growth, which is critical for success. But we also need comprehensive permitting reform to go hand in hand to achieve the energy dominance needed to set manufacturers on a trajectory to win the global race for AI.

“We look forward to working with Congress to get this done.”

Background

Manufacturers have been at the forefront of developing and implementing cutting-edge AI systems that are transforming shop floors and revolutionizing operations.

Last December, the 51�Թ��� supported President Trump’s AI Executive Order on state AI regulations and endorsed several bills to streamline permitting.

In July 2025, the Manufacturing Institute, the nonprofit workforce development and education affiliate of the 51�Թ���, unveiled a responding to a White House Executive Order on workforce modernization.

In May 2025, the Manufacturing Leadership Council, the digital transformation division of the 51�Թ���, released a groundbreaking report, “,” revealing that 51% of manufacturers already deploy AI in their operations, and 80% say AI will be essential to growing or maintaining their business by 2030. This is not just about efficiency—it’s about competitiveness, innovation and the future of American industry.

In May 2024, the 51�Թ��� published “Working Smarter: How Manufacturers Are Using Artificial Intelligence”—a report that explains the ways in which manufacturers are using AI already, making the technology integral to modern manufacturing with manufacturers at the forefront of developing and implementing AI systems.

-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 $2.95 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. – 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth District decision enabling Resolution Copper’s congressionally mandated land exchange to move forward—an outcome the 51�Թ��� helped drive through years of sustained advocacy and strategic legal action, including an filed with the court.

“The completion of Resolution Copper’s land exchange is a monumental milestone for our nation and the manufacturing industry’s efforts to ensure U.S. supply chains have reliable access to the raw materials that power our economy. We appreciate the leadership of the Trump administration, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Land Management and Congress for getting this extremely important land exchange across the finish line.

“The significance of this moment cannot be overstated. The U.S. imports about 35% of its copper. At full capacity, Resolution Copper—the third-largest known copper deposit in the world—could supply a quarter of all U.S. copper demand and as much as 40 billion pounds of copper over 40 years, securing access to critical minerals that are essential to our nation’s economic strength and national security. This would also reduce our reliance on adversarial nations for minerals and boost energy and critical national defense systems. The land exchange proves what is possible when policy, process and partnership align. It’s the kind of outcome manufacturers need to see more often: one that protects key landscapes, unlocks critical resources and advances America’s economic and national security.”

Background:

Copper is a critical material for manufacturing—serving as a core input in industrial production and machinery, as well as energy infrastructure that powers factories, data centers and advanced technologies. As manufacturers work to outcompete China and achieve American energy dominance, securing reliable, domestic sources of critical minerals like copper has become increasingly urgent. The 51�Թ���’s recent policy framework underscores this need, calling for a comprehensive critical minerals strategy.

At the same time, projects like Resolution Copper illustrate the challenges posed by the current permitting landscape. For more than a decade, the project has faced complex and uncertain federal review processes—reflecting broader systemic issues. According to recent 51�Թ��� analysis, America’s broken permitting system costs manufacturers at least $7.9 billion each year, highlighting the need for bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform to strengthen America’s economic and national security.

-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. –��Manufacturers��today��are��urging policymakers��to enact a modern, comprehensive��policy agenda��to secure access to critical minerals��for��both the industry and the��nation—one that��generates��new pipelines for critical mineral��projects at home while securing diversified access to vital manufacturing inputs sourced��globally.��To advance this agenda, the��National Association of��Manufacturers��shared with��the��United States Trade Representative��a framework to rebalance global supply chains with plurilateral partners.����

“The stakes are clear:��manufacturers depend on��secure,��reliable��and sustainable��supply chains to make things in America,” said��51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “Critical minerals and rare earth elements are essential for automotive parts and vehicles, electrical grid components, robotics and industrial automation, defense technology, electronics and more. With China dominating global supply chains, manufacturers can no longer risk these vulnerabilities. ��

“Manufacturers��support the��administration��and Congress’��efforts to rebalance global supply chains through��comprehensive actions domestically and with international partners. The��comprehensive approach��the 51�Թ��� is releasing today will��enhance critical minerals capacity at home, leverage resources abroad and safeguard access to a diverse range of critical minerals necessary for U.S. economic strength and national security.”����

The 51�Թ���’s two-pronged policy��framework��offers specific, complementary��domestic and international policy recommendations to the Trump Administration and Congress.��On the domestic front, it calls for��enacting comprehensive permitting reform and making strategic energy incentives permanent.��Internationally,��the��51�Թ�����urges the��administration to negotiate a��plurilateral��agreement��that positions U.S. investors for success and��leverages��the��collective��advantages��of international partners and allies��across every stage of the��critical��minerals��life cycle—effectively rebalancing��the global market for critical minerals.����

Read the��51�Թ���’s��full policy agenda 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��$2.95��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. – America’s broken permitting system is costing manufacturers in America $7.9 billion each year, according to a new report released today by the 51�Թ��� and the Foundation for American Innovation—underscoring the urgent need for bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform to strengthen America’s economic and national security. The findings highlight how widespread and complex federal permitting requirements have become, with manufacturers most commonly citing Clean Water Act permits (required for 82.1% of projects) and Clean Air Act permits (required for 72.6% of projects)—the latter noted as the most burdensome approval process.

The new report, “America on Hold: How Permitting Delays Stall Manufacturing Progress,” draws from a recent joint survey of manufacturers conducted between Dec. 9, 2025, and Jan. 15, 2026, examining the types of projects companies are pursuing, the permits they most frequently require, where uncertainty and regulatory complexity create challenges and which reforms would have the greatest impact. The findings reveal a permitting system that hits manufacturers hardest where they operate most often: routine upgrades, expansions and ongoing operations.

“Manufacturers are investing across America, but permitting roadblocks are holding projects back,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “It takes the U.S. up to 80% longer than our peer nations to move projects forward. Manufacturers want ribbon cuttings, not red tape—that means modernizing our laws to streamline regulations and eliminate duplicative reviews and a regulatory regime to support timely permitting and give manufacturers the certainty to invest, build and create jobs.”

From the 51�Թ���’s survey to manufacturers:

• 50.8% say permitting concerns discourage investment in new or expanded capacity.
• 65.6% would increase U.S. investment if permitting timelines were shorter and more predictable.
• The most common permitted activities are facility expansions and equipment upgrades, not megaprojects.

Until now, consolidated research demonstrating the full economic impact of the federal permitting system on manufacturing investment has been limited—largely due to the sheer number of laws and regulations governing permits, as well as the absence of a centralized federal repository of permitting data. The 51�Թ���–FAI report addresses that gap by combining publicly available permitting data with original industry survey results to provide one of the most comprehensive views to date on the cost of permitting for manufacturers.

The full report can be read here.

Methodology:

Using external and survey data, the 51�Թ���–FAI findings estimate that over the past 10 years, the U.S. manufacturing sector has incurred an average annual permitting burden of $7.9 billion+. To calculate, unit costs are derived by multiplying the 10-year federal permit counts with the total out-of-pocket and indirect costs of the permitting process, as detailed in the bullets below.

• The federal count of applications and final permits obtained by manufacturers over the past 10 years, categorized by permit type (i.e., NEPA, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, etc.)
• Out-of-pocket costs that include application fees, consultants, legal expenses and more from project delays
• Delays created by indirect costs, such as carrying costs, lost revenue from pushing back project initiation, inventory and contract impacts

-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 $2.95 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 .

Featured Quotes from Chairman Bruce Westerman and Manufacturing Leaders

“The federal permitting process is broken, and this report confirms what we already know: clarity and certainty must return to the process to jumpstart projects, end duplicative reviews, reform judicial review processes and boost project investments in the United States. My bipartisan SPEED Act will tackle these issues to let America build again, so we can remain a global leader across all industries, including manufacturing.” – House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)

“Regulatory uncertainty is one of the most significant hurdles our customers face as they consider placing new equipment orders with Husco. Permitting delays and denials can derail projects that enhance our economy and provide family-sustaining jobs for workers. A comprehensive effort to streamline the permitting process would represent a significant step forward. Common-sense reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act are just one example of many that would help expedite new investment. We fully support 51�Թ���’s ongoing and important efforts in this area.” – Austin Ramirez, President and CEO of Husco and 51�Թ��� Small and Medium Manufacturers Group Vice Chair

“Projects that strengthen our energy system can face years of unnecessary delays under the current NEPA framework. Uncertain timelines, duplicative reviews, overly expansive analyses, and lengthy litigation can stall or even cancel critical infrastructure. Modernizing NEPA is a critical step toward providing greater certainty for developers and communities so we can deliver the energy needed to support American jobs, strengthen supply chains, and keep energy affordable for families and businesses.” – Toby Z Rice, President and CEO, EQT

“As the U.S. works to strengthen energy security and expand domestic manufacturing, the ability to build power generation, transmission and grid infrastructure on predictable timelines has become increasingly important. In our work across the energy sector, we see how lengthy and duplicative permitting processes can add years of uncertainty to projects needed to support reliability, electrification and new human critical infrastructure investments. Nearly as critical, it can also delay hiring and investment in the skilled workforce required to build and operate this critical infrastructure. While the National Environmental Policy Act plays an important role in protecting communities and the environment, modernizing permitting by improving coordination, setting clearer timelines and ensuring reviews are applied in an energy‑source‑neutral way would help advance critical infrastructure without lowering standards. Properly resourcing permitting agencies — and the judiciary to resolve challenges efficiently — would further improve predictability. A more efficient, transparent permitting framework is essential to delivering the power systems required to meet growing demand and keep U.S. industry competitive.” – Todd Edsall, President, Power Providers, Black & Veatch

We were the first mining project covered under the federal government’s FAST-41 permitting program in 2024. From start to finish the process will take just over two years. We have seen the benefits that streamlining and coordinating federal efforts under NEPA provides to projects like Hermosa. When there is a collective will to support a project needed for national security, the resources are put in place to ensure the defined timeline milestones are met with the same, if not more, amount of rigor and efficiency. By responsibly modernizing NEPA in a bipartisan manner, more critical projects can move forward to support communities, provide jobs, and deliver for America” – Pat Risner, President, Hermosa Project, South32

“The recent NEPA reforms are solid first step towards modernizing the permitting process. However, there is much more we can do to remove the bureaucracy that is not providing value. We don’t have time to waste if our energy infrastructure is going to keep pace with the AI boom. If we can create more predictability in permitting, the results will include more stability, greater speed, and lower costs.” – Ryan Lindsey, Executive Vice President of Government Relations, CRH Americas

“At Nucor, permitting delays are not abstract—they directly affect our ability to invest, build, and create good paying manufacturing jobs in America. We have experienced firsthand how reviews under NEPA and related permitting requirements can add months to project timelines and significantly increase costs, even for projects with strong environmental performance and local support. Modernizing NEPA to provide clearer timelines, better interagency coordination, and a more predictable review process, including a greater role for states with appropriate federal oversight, would strengthen American manufacturing while maintaining robust environmental protections.”�� – Ben Pickett, Executive Vice President of Business Services, Nucor Corporation

“Rising energy demand in the U.S. from AI, manufacturing, and industrial operations��is ushering in a full-scale expansion of our energy backbone. Given our role as an��Energy Technology Partner to the U.S., Schneider Electric is uniquely positioned to help electrify, automate, and digitalize the infrastructure needed to meet the moment. By adopting favorable policies like permitting reform and advancing innovative energy tech, we can help usher in a new era of energy intelligence and accelerate��our time to power.” — Jeannie Salo, Chief Public Policy Officer, North America, Schneider Electric

Washington, D.C. – As the review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement gets underway, a majority of manufacturers report they utilize either Canada or Mexico for critical parts of their supply chains—at a time when trade uncertainty remains manufacturers’ top business concern, according to the 51�Թ��� Q1 2026 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey. The survey also shows manufacturers’ optimism is rising, with 75.3% reporting a positive outlook for their company, up 5.4 percentage points from the previous quarter.

Among the manufacturers that utilize Canada or Mexico for critical parts of their supply chain, exactly half rely on both countries, according to the latest findings. The majority of U.S. imports from Mexico and Canada are industrial inputs such as machinery, equipment and raw materials while Canada and Mexico also purchase one-third of manufactured good exports—more than the next nine U.S. trading partners combined.

“Manufacturers are ready for liftoff, but the skies need to clear,” said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “This quarter shows a mixed bag of results with real momentum from tax reform, regulatory rebalancing and energy policy. At the same time, the results underscore how essential durable supply chains are to manufacturing success—and how critical Canada and Mexico are to that system, which is why we need to preserve and strengthen the USMCA.”

“For the first time since 2023, manufacturers’ outlook topped the historical average of 74.3%, and manufacturers expect most indices to improve meaningfully over the next 12 months. Sales and production are projected to rise 3.8% and 3.5%, respectively, up from the previous quarter’s forecast of 2.8% and 2.4% growth,” said 51�Թ��� Chief Economist Victoria Bloom. “However, challenges persist. For example, raw material and other input costs are not anticipated to slow, rising at the same pace as projected in Q4 (4.1%) and ranking as the third-highest business concern at 57.5%.”

Key findings:

• 70.6% of manufacturers cited trade uncertainties as a top business challenge for the fifth consecutive quarter.
• 54.6% secure critical inputs from either Canada or Mexico—82.2% of those manufacturers say they source raw materials or other inputs from either country.
• Of those that utilize Canada or Mexico, 62.7% benefit from a strong customer base across the border.
• For the second consecutive quarter, rising health care/insurance costs (69.8%) remained the second most-cited business challenge for manufacturers.

The 51�Թ��� releases these results to the public each quarter. Further information on the survey is available 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 $2.95 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. – Vermeer Corporation, an industrial and agricultural equipment producer based in Pella, Iowa, is crediting the pro-growth tax provisions of H.R. 1 with supporting the to build an all-new 300,000-square-foot facility in the Des Moines metro that will create more than 300 jobs.

Vermeer in a company statement, “We’re grateful for the state of Iowa, the pro-business environment, the skilled workforce here and economic policies, like Working Families Tax Cuts, that have helped support Vermeer’s long-term growth.”

Last August, 51�Թ��� Executive Vice President Erin Streeter joined Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) for a Made in America Manufacturing Tour across Iowa’s 1st District, where they visited Vermeer’s facility in Pella. During the tour, Vermeer President and CEO and 51�Թ��� Executive Committee member Jason Andringa said H.R. 1 “sets up manufacturers for a generation of continued growth and advancement.”

Streeter praised Rep. Miller-Meeks’ leadership .

“H.R.1 is a landmark win for manufacturing—delivering pro-growth policies that will strengthen our industry for years to come. Without bold leadership from lawmakers like Rep. Miller-Meeks, manufacturers could have been crippled by the largest tax hike in history—jeopardizing the progress we made after the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Iowa’s 1st Congressional District is the first in the state for manufacturing. We want to thank her for protecting 13,000 jobs and $1.2 billion in wages at more than 800 manufacturing companies in her district alone.”

Background

KEY FACTS: If Congress had failed to preserve tax reform in 2025, the U.S. would have risked:

• 5.9 million lost jobs;
• A $540 billion reduction in employee compensation; and
• A $1.1 trillion shortfall in U.S. GDP.

-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 $2.95 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����by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to reopen permitting reform negotiations, 51�Թ�����President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Permitting reform is one of the key pillars of a��comprehensive manufacturing strategy��that will help clear the skies for manufacturers. We thank Sens. Whitehouse and Heinrich for reopening negotiations on this critical issue. The stakes couldn’t be higher for manufacturers: America’s permitting system is broken—with projects taking up to��80% longer��to move forward than in peer nations.��America cannot lead the world in all forms of energy, AI and advanced manufacturing while projects remain stuck in yearslong permitting delays. Coming off the��51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour, the message has been clear—America needs a faster, more reliable permitting system to build the infrastructure that powers growth and keeps our industry competitive. 2026 must be the year of permitting reform. We want ribbon cuttings, not red tape, so manufacturers can build new shop floors, energy facilities and new infrastructure here in the United States.

“In addition to our����in the��—including Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME)—we are grateful to Sens.�� Whitehouse, Heinrich, Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Mike Lee (R-UT) for their continued efforts to advance bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform—an essential pillar of a comprehensive manufacturing strategy and an all-of-the-above approach to energy. By modernizing our broken permitting system, Congress can deliver the certainty manufacturers need to build faster, invest with confidence and improve the quality of life for all Americans.”

Background:

In February, the 51�Թ��� launched “Building to Win,” a six-figure campaign urging Congress to pass robust infrastructure investments and reauthorize critical federal highway programs before they expire on Sept. 30. As part of the launch, the 51�Թ��� unveiled a new infrastructure��policy roadmap, including original analysis on the economic costs of congestion on manufacturers and a set of core infrastructure policy pillars. The 51�Թ��� also debuted a����underscoring the importance of infrastructure investment and permitting reform to manufacturing competitiveness.

Permitting reform has long been a��top legislative priority��for the 51�Թ���. In the��final weeks��of 2025, the 51�Թ��� pushed for permitting reform measures that advanced in the House—including the passage of the��SPEED ACT. Manufacturers are calling on the Senate to take the helm and build on that momentum by advancing the SPEED Act, a cornerstone��of��the 51�Թ���’s��“Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance.”

-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 $2.95 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. – As part of the 2026 51�Թ��� State of Manufacturing Tour, Ketchie President and Owner Courtney Silver hosted the 51�Թ��� for a discussion on how tax certainty due to the 51�Թ���-backed H.R. 1 has empowered manufacturers like her to reinvest in their workforce and facilities.

The tour stop was covered by . Excerpts of the report can be found below. Bolding has been added.

—-

Ketchie CEO credits Trump’s ‘beautiful bill’ with helping her machine shop prosper
Business North Carolina
Kevin Ellis
Feb. 23, 2026

Miguel Carrillo describes himself as a “machine nerd,” and he had an engaged audience on Monday watching him operate a $700,000 device brought in last year to Concord-based Ketchie, the machine shop where he works.

Ketchie may only have 20 employees, but it was a stop on the State of Manufacturing Tour that 51�Թ��� President Jay Timmons began last week in Cleveland and will continue across the country after visiting three Charlotte-area sites on Monday. Tagging along with Timmons at Ketchie was Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Treasury Derek Theurer, U.S. Rep. Tim Moore of Cleveland County and NC Chamber President Gary Salamido.

Ketchie CEO Courtney Silver was a supporter of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” the legislation signed into law last year by President Donald Trump. She testified at congressional hearings before its passage about how it would help small businesses. Timmons said he had heard so much about Ketchie’s new machines, he wanted to see them in action.

The tax bill that eliminates income tax on overtime and tips for some workers also allows businesses to reduce their tax bills on investments immediately, rather than spreading the reduction out over several years, says Silver.

“When you can expense an investment in the year it was purchased, it provides cash flow to companies and continues to allow them to make new investments,” says Silver.

Ketchie purchased three machines last year that combined cost more than $1.1 million, plus made about $400,000 in other investments, including AI software that has cut some hour-long processes down to five minutes.

“I would have never made those investments without immediate expensing,” Silver says. She says she’s also looking to add five workers to her shop.

“This is a perfect example of what you can do to help build America and American manufacturing with the right policies in place,” says Timmons.

Theurer said it was nice to see advanced manufacturing take place in a North Carolina factory rather than spending his day on policy in the nation’s capital.

“This type of investment is what we intended to see when we made our big tax policy and worked for smarter regulation,” said Theurer.

…

Ketchie supplies metal parts to railroad, aerospace and heavy industry manufacturers, such as Charlotte steelmaker Nucor, Davidson-based HVAC company Trane and Norfolk Southern. The company was started in 1947 by Edgar Ketchie, the grandfather of Silver’s late husband.

On Monday, Carrillo was machining a steel part needed by an industrial recycling company. The Dual Spindle 5-Axis Machining Center that Ketchie bought last year doesn’t require Carrillo to reset the machine for the other side of the metal part, which is about half the size of a deck of cards, but grooved. It means quicker production and fewer human errors, he says.

“It allows me to step out and allows the machine to do the heavy lifting,” says Carillo. The advanced manufacturing aspect attracted the 2024 graduate of A.L. Brown High School to work at Ketchie after starting in a job shadowing program while a high school junior. “It’s nice when a machine can do one thing, but it’s really nice when a machine can do a lot of things.”

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Background

Learn more about Silver’s testimony before Congress in 2025 on the importance of preserving the pro-manufacturing policies of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act here.

KEY FACTS: If Congress had failed to preserve tax reform in 2025, the U.S. would have risked:

• 5.9 million lost jobs;
• A $540 billion reduction in employee compensation; and
• A $1.1 trillion shortfall in U.S. GDP.

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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 $2.95 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 .