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Washington, D.C. – Following President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement nominating Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released this statement:

“As the pandemic has made abundantly clear, manufacturers play an essential role in producing and protecting our nation’s food supply and keeping our families fed. We look forward to working with Sec. Vilsack when he returns to the Department of Agriculture to ensure that manufacturers can continue fulfilling this mission and that in times of critical stress, the manufacturing workers in our food supply chain are always recognized as the essential workers that they are.

“After eight years leading the department, Sec. Vilsack undoubtedly has the experience to steer the USDA through these challenging times. We congratulate him on his nomination to serve the nation once again. Through the years, I’ve had the chance to work with Sec. Vilsack, including when he served as governor of Iowa and I was doing work for the National Governors Association. As I saw firsthand, he was ahead of his time in advancing equal opportunity and inclusion, and he has a firm belief in igniting opportunity for all Americans. His collaborative, bipartisan, results-oriented approach will be a strong addition to the Biden administration.”

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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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� Vice President of Energy and Resources Policy Rachel Jones released the following statement on the EPA’s reforms to how it conducts cost-benefit analysis:

“Our goal at the 51�Թ��� is to make our environment and our communities better. The agency’s strengthening of the cost-benefit analysis process will provide clarity and transparency for the American people and allow our members to create high-paying jobs and make investments that will protect our air and water. This initiative will have an immediate positive impact on our country and allow the EPA to get regulations done right the first time.”

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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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement that he will nominate Gen. Lloyd Austin as Secretary of Defense, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Throughout history, manufacturers have been the arsenal of democracy, a role that we have reprised in a new way during the pandemic, working with the Department of Defense on the procurement and distribution of vaccines and vital supplies to battle COVID-19. We are committed to ensuring that work continues when Gen. Austin takes the lead at the Pentagon.

“Gen. Austin will bring more than four decades of valuable, battle-tested experience to this role, and manufacturers congratulate him on the nomination to join a Cabinet that already represents many historic firsts.

“In addition to our COVID-19 response, manufacturers look forward to working with the next secretary to support military members after their service is fulfilled. Through The Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America initiative, we are proud to provide training and transition support to connect them with careers in modern manufacturing.”

-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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 and Manufacturing Institute Executive Director Carolyn Lee released the following statements on the announcement of Eric Burkland’s retirement as president of The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association after leading the association for 31 years and Vice President and Managing Director Ryan Augsburger’s promotion to lead the association as president beginning in 2021.

“Over the past three decades, Eric Burkland has been an indispensable partner in advancing manufacturing in the United States and the values that make America exceptional: free enterprise, competitiveness, individual liberty and equal opportunity,” said Timmons. “He is one of the strongest association leaders—and advocates—that manufacturers in Ohio and America will ever know. His retirement leaves giant shoes to fill, but there is no doubt Ryan Augsburger will follow in Eric’s footsteps and take the OMA to new heights.

“Eric’s leadership and ingenuity at the helm at OMA have been critical in achieving historic results for manufacturers. Since 1989, he has been instrumental in shaping consequential, once-in-a-generation policy changes that bolstered our industry and made Ohio—my home state—a better place in which to live and work. In the midst of the present crisis, he helped spearhead The Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19, uniting manufacturers and other essential businesses to manage the demand for personal protective equipment and save lives.

“At the national level, his influence and leadership are profound. His relentless drive for results, not to mention his loyalty to and appreciation for the men and women who make things in America, is inspirational. Those who served with him on the 51�Թ��� of Directors and the Conference of State Manufacturers Associations valued Eric’s political savvy, generosity of spirit and ability to bring people together—forging important consensus and extending the strength of the manufacturing army. And there is no doubt that relationships he helped build among the 51�Թ��� and state manufacturing associations through the years empowered us all to be more effective in navigating the pandemic.

“It has been one of the great privileges of my time at the 51�Թ��� to have served alongside Eric—and to have started a lifelong friendship with Christy and him. I came to quickly admire Eric’s judgment, and I still turn to my fellow Buckeye for trusted guidance and wise counsel. But nothing draws more admiration than his ability to be a skilled and thoughtful leader while showing a steadfast commitment to family. He leaves a legacy of not only incredible achievement but also an enduring impact on his peers, his colleagues, his mentees and the association and industry he so capably served.

“As a longtime member of the OMA’s staff leadership, Ryan Augsburger is well-equipped to carry his legacy forward. He has been integral to OMA’s success, and he’ll bring to his new role the deep industry knowledge, principled advocacy and keen intellect that have already earned him a formidable reputation among policymakers in Columbus and across the state. I look forward to working with Ryan—and continuing to work with Eric in his next chapter—to strengthen our industry and lift up more Americans in the months and years ahead.”

Lee added, “Eric Burkland set a best-in-class example of association leadership in addressing the skills gap in modern manufacturing. He has been a key partner in accelerating efforts to recruit and educate the next generation and connect more people, including veterans and women, with modern manufacturing careers. He’s been on the cutting edge of working to expand apprenticeships and developing programs to improve the perception of the industry, including through initiatives such as ‘Making Ohio’ and with his support of our ‘Creators Wanted’ campaign to build the future workforce. And he’s continued to be a strong ally in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion so that we make progress in closing the opportunity gap in Ohio and in America. In this work, and in the future challenges ahead, we are fortunate that Eric will continue to serve manufacturing and lead OMA’s workforce development efforts.”

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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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement of Jeff Zients to lead the Biden administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released this statement:

“Jeff Zients is exactly the right choice to help lead the next administration’s COVID-19 response. The 51�Թ��� always enjoyed a strong and productive relationship with Jeff in his previous role, and he is the right person for this job. He is well suited for addressing both the economic and public health challenges we face. Manufacturers can always count on him to be responsive and candid, and you can’t overstate how valuable it is to have that open channel of communication—especially now that his new role will involve helping to lead America out of this ongoing crisis.

“Manufacturers are encouraged that alongside Jeff will be experienced medical experts to effectively communicate and implement the policies needed to move our country forward. Throughout the pandemic, manufacturers have stepped up to provide leadership for our country—from encouraging smart health practices to producing personal protective equipment and developing vaccines. We are committed to continuing that leadership until we defeat COVID-19, and we are ready to work closely with Jeff, and the rest of the incoming administration, to achieve a strong economic recovery and American renewal.”

-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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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��� Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary Linda Kelly released the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California’s order to strike down the Trump administration’s recent changes to the H-1B visa program:

“This ruling is a win for the hundreds of thousands of American-based workers who are essential to the recovery and renewal of our industry and our economy. We need high-skilled innovators now more than ever, and the administration’s attempt to rush these rules forward without properly considering their impact on thousands of people on the front lines of developing vaccines and treatments and making critical supplies, as well as saving lives in our hospitals, could have devastating consequences at a critical moment in our history. We’re pleased that the court’s decision recognizes the critical role the H-1B program plays in our manufacturing economy.”

-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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement of former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to be his nominee for Secretary of the Treasury, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released this statement:

“Janet Yellen possesses extraordinary expertise and sterling credentials to serve as U.S. Treasury Secretary. Her nomination is, of course, historic as she will be the first woman to serve as Secretary. 51�Թ��� leadership met twice with Chair Yellen during her time leading the Federal Reserve. We were struck by, and appreciative of, how focused she was on American workers and the success of the manufacturing sector. Our conversations with her were refreshingly never one-way as she listened intently to the perspectives of America’s frontline job creators and asked probative questions on how Federal Reserve policies impacted our ability to invest, hire and strengthen our communities. We look forward to a similar productive relationship in working with the future Secretary as we continue to seek clarity on additional stimulus and economic needs for the sector’s recovery.”

-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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 President-elect Joe Biden’s announcement of key Cabinet nominees and members of his national security and foreign policy team, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“President-elect Biden has chosen a group of steady and capable hands to lead American diplomacy. Tony Blinken’s considerable experience and his strong commitment to America’s highest ideals will make him a welcome presence on the world stage. He understands that our nation is strongest when engaged globally and acting as a beacon for democracy and freedom.

“In a critical moment for U.S. immigration policy, Alejandro Mayorkas’s history-making nomination is a welcome announcement, and we look forward to working with the Department of Homeland Security under his leadership. We are firmly committed to comprehensive immigration reform, as outlined in our ‘’ plan, which offers solutions to protect Dreamers, maintain critical visa programs and smartly secure our borders.”

Manufacturers also congratulate additional individuals chosen to serve in a Biden–Harris administration:

• Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence
• Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
• Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor
• John Kerry, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

Timmons added, “Every day, manufacturers are working to rebuild our economy and bring about American renewal. We look forward to strengthening our working relationship with these departments as we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, improve national security, promote American values around the world and strengthen our economic recovery here at home.”

-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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 62% 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 Trump Administration’s announcement on implementing a Most Favored Nation approach to pricing of Medicare Part B drugs, 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“Manufacturers in America are driving global pharmaceutical innovation. Recent COVID-19 vaccine and therapy developments underscore the value of that leadership. As the coronavirus tightens its grip on the country, we should not be looking at failed price-setting schemes as a solution. While producing the essential supplies needed to fight the virus, manufacturers are also working to provide affordable medicines and therapies to the public. We believe strongly in lowering health care costs, but the socialist policies outlined today will not aid in the effort.

“What this dangerous precedent will do is stifle the development of treatments and vaccines to combat future pandemics, Alzheimer’s or cancer while also limiting access to critical products for those most in need. Competition and free market principles are the foundation of a strong economy, and now is not the time to abandon those values.”

Currently, the 51�Թ��� is running an ad on the dangers of price indexing. To view the ad, click .

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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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.37 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% 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 www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – The leadership of the 51�Թ���—51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons, Trane Technologies Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair Mike Lamach, Dow Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Vice Chair Jim Fitterling, BTE Technologies President and 51�Թ��� Small and Medium Manufacturers Chair Chuck Wetherington and Protolabs President and CEO and 51�Թ��� SMM Vice Chair Vicki Holt—released a joint statement on ascertainment.

“The next two months are critical to our nation’s ability to successfully deal with twin crises: controlling the spread of COVID-19 and rebuilding the U.S. economy. Manufacturers have been on the front lines throughout this pandemic—producing protective equipment, stabilizing the food supply, encouraging safe practices and developing vaccines and treatments. Now our attention turns to the distribution of safe and effective vaccines as quickly as possible, while continuing to protect against disruptions of the supply chain.

“While we understand and respect the court challenges that are a part of our democratic process, it’s imperative that our nation has a President and advisors who are fully prepared to lead our nation on Inauguration Day given the magnitude of the challenges ahead and the threats to our economic and national security, and most importantly, to the public health. It is highly appropriate that the Trump administration allow key individuals from the Biden team to access critical government personnel and information now.

“To ensure manufacturers can continue to work seamlessly with the federal government—no matter who is President on January 20—we call on the administrator of the General Services Administration to sign the letter of ascertainment immediately so that this consistent process in American democracy can begin and the exchange of critical information can commence.

“Further, we call on the Trump administration to work cooperatively with President-elect Biden and his team.

“There is no time to waste nor room for error. Manufacturers have been leading throughout these crises, and we know what is at stake: American lives and livelihoods.”

-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 more than 12.2 million men and women, contributes $2.35 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% 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