Manufacturing is the backbone of our nation’s economy. Since Henry Ford first offered the revolutionary $5 workday, manufacturing jobs have been a pathway to the middle class for millions of American families. Nearly 100 years later, manufacturing continues to provide hardworking families a chance to not only make ends meet, but also to build a better future.
But we have challenges to overcome if we hope to continue providing this opportunity for everyone. Just last month, Carrier announced it would relocate its facility out of Indianapolis, costing at least 1,400 Hoosier jobs and adding to the more than 5 million jobs that failed trade agreements have cost our country over the past two decades.
Manufacturing has the potential to be an engine of job creation and economic recovery. Today, 520,000 Hoosiers work in the manufacturing sector, making Indiana one of the most significant manufacturing states in the country. However, in order to ensure we stay a strong manufacturing state, we need a strategy.
That’s why I support the “Make it in America” plan in Congress, which takes a comprehensive approach toward strengthening the environment that businesses need to succeed. It includes preparing a skilled workforce, investing in infrastructure, making it easier for businesses to invest in research and reforming the corporate tax system to help companies bring jobs back home. At its core, it seeks to support American workers and companies so these high-quality jobs stay here at home.
President Obama has already signed 16 “Make it in America” bills into law. My colleagues and I look to build on this success by developing ways we can continue to improve our manufacturing sector.
Manufacturing has always been the heart of Indiana. It built our middle class and continues to support Hoosier families. As new generations prepare to lead our manufacturing industries into the future, we have an obligation to do everything we can to keep these businesses and the jobs they provide here in the United States.
