Herb Kohl: “the manufacturing sector is under siege from cheap imports, unfair trade agreements, and escalating heath care and…”

“the manufacturing sector is under siege from cheap imports, unfair trade agreements, and escalating heath care and energy costs. Instead of working to alleviate this burden, the Bush administration has turned its back on manufacturing; focusing instead on tax cuts for the rich and their heirs. Indeed, the administration has slashed funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, MEP, and the Advanced Technology Program, ATP, in this year's budget. MEP helps manufacturers streamline operations, integrate new technologies, shorten production times, and lower costs. ATP provides grants to support research and development of high risk, cutting edge technologies. Both MEP and ATP help manufacturers survive and compete with countries like China. I today offer, with Senator DeWine, some more help for beleaguered manufacturers. The Blue Collar Computing and Business Assistance Act of 2006 was drafted from recommendations made by the Council on Competitiveness regarding high performance computing. The legislation would provide grants for the creation of five Advanced Computing Software Centers throughout the United States that would transfer high performance computing technologies to small businesses and manufacturers. High Performance Computing will allow manufacturers to visualize and simulate parts and products before they can be created which will cut the time and cost required to experiment with new materials.…”