Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker addressed the need for passage of pending bipartisan legislation that would establish a National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI) at the NNMI Day on Capitol Hill. She was joined by Sen. Sherrod Brown, Reps. Joe Kennedy and Tom Reed, several business leaders and the directors of the newly established pilot Institutes of Manufacturing Innovation (IMIs).
The Revitalize American Manufacturing Innovation Act (RAMI) would create a network of up to 15 regional institutes across the country, each focused on a unique technology, material or process relevant to advanced manufacturing. Senator Brown (D-OH), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Rep. Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. Reed (R-NY) introduced bipartisan RAMI legislation in their respective legislative chamber. The Senate bill passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, and the House bill passed the full House of Representatives on September 15.