New Manufacturing Council Formed to Fix Supply Chains and Boost Factory Jobs for Next Five Years

The National Manufacturing Advisory Council Act sets up a brand-new, high-level advisory group within the Department of Commerce. Think of it as a strategic command center for U.S. factory policy. This Council, which must be established within 180 days, is tasked with giving direct, independent advice to the Secretary of Commerce and Congress on keeping the U.S. competitive in global manufacturing. Its main deliverable is an annual national strategic plan aimed at making the U.S. the top destination for manufacturing investment.

The Factory Floor to the White House Pipeline

This isn't just another committee; it’s designed to be the official meeting spot where the federal government talks directly to the people who actually make things—including the companies, the universities, and, critically, the workers. The Council’s job is to look at everything that affects U.S. manufacturing, from investment trends and defense needs to supply chain headaches and logistical nightmares. They must meet at least twice a year to deliver their advice, ensuring a steady flow of real-world feedback into federal policy decisions (Sec. 2).

The Workforce Reset Button

One of the biggest focus areas for this new Council is the manufacturing workforce. They are specifically required to advise the Secretary on how to support workers as new technology rolls out. This includes setting training priorities so that a welder in Ohio or a technician in Texas can adapt their skills for 21st-century production. They also need to figure out ways to make manufacturing jobs and training more accessible to low-income individuals and new workers in both urban and rural areas. For the small business owner, the Council will even develop best practices for manufacturers who want to explore switching to employee ownership models (Sec. 2).

Cutting Through the Red Tape

If you've ever dealt with a supply chain delay or a regulation that made no sense, this next part is for you. The Council is specifically mandated to pinpoint federal, state, or other regulations that are causing “unnecessary supply chain problems,” “hurting business operations,” or “raising prices” for manufacturers and consumers. Their job is to recommend steps to fix these issues. While fixing regulatory burdens sounds great, the language here is broad—terms like 'unnecessary burdens' are subjective, and the Council's recommendations could target a wide range of existing rules. This is an area where the devil will be in the details of their annual report.

Who’s at the Table, and for How Long?

The Council will have up to 30 members, appointed by the Secretary of Commerce, who must represent a balanced mix of private industry (including small and medium-sized businesses), academia, and labor groups. They are also required to actively seek input from geographically diverse regions, including rural areas and places that have recently suffered mass layoffs. However, this Council isn't meant to last forever. It is set to automatically shut down five years after it holds its first meeting. Furthermore, while the bill establishes this major new advisory body, it explicitly states that it “doesn’t authorize any new money to be appropriated” for its operations. This means the Council will have to rely on existing Commerce Department budgets, which could limit its operational capacity and effectiveness right out of the gate.