Biden Boosts Funding for Shaheen Provision in Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Bolster U.S. Supply Chain

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) applauded the Biden administration’s announcement of $50 million in funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law to implement a Shaheen provision to help states ensure that smart manufacturing technologies and high-performance computing are more accessible for small- and medium-sized domestic manufacturing firms. Shaheen’s provision established State Manufacturing Leadership Program; Shaheen’s provision is based on her standalone, bipartisan legislation - the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act of 2021.

By 2040, an estimate from policy experts at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) determined the legislation would save consumers $5 billion in energy costs and reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 116 million cars off the road.

“A robust domestic manufacturing base is a pillar of our economic and national security. Supply chain shortages during the pandemic and as tensions and U.S. competition with China increases, it is clear that our country needs to invest in upgrading our production capabilities and supporting small- and medium-sized manufacturers. That’s precisely why I worked to include a provision in the bipartisan infrastructure bill to address those challenges head on,” said Shaheen, a lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. “I’m glad to see the President investing more resources to implement this provision and that we’ll soon see the impact in our communities. With this funding, domestic manufacturers will be able to reduce energy costs, create jobs and compete in the global marketplace.”

As a lead negotiator of the bipartisan infrastructure bill – the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – Shaheen worked along with former Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) to include their Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act to help manufacturers improve energy efficiency, create jobs and secure a more competitive position in the marketplace. A portion of the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act was also included in the Energy Act of 2020 to require the development of a national plan for smart manufacturing.  

###