Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of my amendment to increase funding for the Advanced Manufacturing Office by $20 million. I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Tom Reed, John Katko, and Jacky Rosen for their partnership in this bipartisan amendment. Our amendment is about protecting and creating millions of good- paying jobs in Connecticut and across the country. Our amendment will help us ensure that the technologically advanced products of the future will be manufactured, not in China, not in India, but right here in the United States of America. The Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office is the only technology development office within the Federal Government that is dedicated to enhancing American manufacturing competitiveness. The Advanced Manufacturing Office works to help manufacturers improve energy and material efficiency, technology, and productivity. Unfortunately, the appropriations bill before us today cuts funding to the Advanced Manufacturing Office by $155.5 million from fiscal year 2017 enacted levels, and that is a mistake. Manufacturing is one of the most important sectors of the U.S. economy. In 2016, manufacturing contributed $2.18 trillion to our economy and employed 12.3 million workers. In my home State of Connecticut, manufacturing has long been our economic backbone. Connecticut is home to nearly 5,000 manufacturing companies that provide good-paying jobs for 76,000 Connecticut residents.…”