NAM on the Front Lines of Rebuilding Manufacturing

This week, the National Association of Manufacturers released the “American Renewal Action Plan.” It is NAM’s policy plan for our nation’s response, recovery, and renewal—focused on the responsibilities, contributions, and needs of manufacturers.

You can read the action plan here.

Many of the recommendations are based on the input from NAM’s association partners, and we welcome continued feedback.

Over the weekend, in response to a White House request for immediate feedback from members of the Great American Economic Revival Task Force, NAM shared this plan with the White House Manufacturing Industry Group members, as well as administration officials. NAM have shared this with congressional offices as well, and expect it will guide future legislation. 

Manufacturers have mobilized to respond to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic in ways unseen in modern history. NAM developed this plan knowing manufacturers possess a unique perspective on the current situation and are critical to ensuring America emerges stronger than ever.

As noted in the plan, and consistent with the President’s “Opening Up America Again” guidelines, governors and local officials will make the call on exactly when and how we “reopen.” But it is clear that America will need significant amounts of personal protective equipment across all sectors of the economy. During the response phase, manufacturers must be able to ramp up production of PPE so the country is ready and well supplied. We also need expanded testing and clearer guidance on issues like the use of face masks and temperature checks.

For the recovery phase, policymakers must focus on the tools that will allow us to reopen and restart our economy. This includes strong liability protections. And for renewal, manufacturers must set the stage for long-term growth, which requires increased liquidity, historic investment in our nation’s infrastructure—consistent with the NAM’s “Building to Win” proposal—robust workforce training, expanded trade, regulatory improvements, and much more.

The road ahead is not easy. Bringing our $22 trillion economy out of our “induced coma” is a herculean task. As with other consequential moments in our history, it will be manufacturers who lead us forward—to secure the future health, safety, and prosperity of all Americans. This won’t be easy, but together NAM will do everything it takes to position our manufacturers to lead us forward to a safe and prosperous America.

Written by:  Jay Timmons – President & CEO of NAM