Mark Udall: “I have got to tell you I am disappointed with this bill, but I do have to also tell you I support it, because it does…”

“I have got to tell you I am disappointed with this bill, but I do have to also tell you I support it, because it does more for our manufacturing sector than the administration is doing now. As my colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee), mentioned, the essence of the bill is a version of legislation I introduced last year, the America Manufacturing Works Act; but unlike my bill, this bill does little more than provide an authorization for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership. We could have and should have done so much more, such as authorizing the widely supported ATP program, strengthening the MEP program, which we are discussing now, authorizing an independent study on outsourcing and bolstering our manufacturing workforce education, among many other things. Still, though, reauthorizing MEP is critical. It is one of the most successful Federal-State partnerships in government; and at a time when our manufacturing base is threatened, it makes no sense to eliminate a program that helps small and mid-sized American manufacturers modernize in order to compete in the demanding global marketplace they face. Whether for reasons of substance or politics, this administration has finally recognized that eliminating MEP is a bad idea.”