HouseH.R. 9097119th Congress
American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026
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[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 9097 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 9097
To establish a new educational exchange program to strengthen
manufacturing workforce education, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 2, 2026
Mr. Huizenga (for himself, Mr. Olszewski, Mrs. Kim, Mr. Bilirakis, and
Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To establish a new educational exchange program to strengthen
manufacturing workforce education, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``American Manufacturing
Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the manufacturing industry requires a skilled workforce
across all educational and training levels, including skilled
technicians, production workers, engineers, scientists, and
laboratory personnel;
(2) the United States manufacturing sector faces
significant challenges due to an aging workforce, labor
shortages, difficulty recruiting and retaining skilled workers,
and the long-term effects of offshoring;
(3) in 1979, there were 19,600,000 workers in
manufacturing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(4) by 2019, 6,700,000 jobs were lost, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(5) according to the Manufacturing Institute, an affiliate
of the National Association of Manufacturers, by 2033, the
industry will require 3,800,000 additional workers, yet nearly
half of these positions may remain unfilled;
(6) according to the Manufacturing Institute, the economic
cost of these vacancies could total $1,000,000,000,000 by 2030;
(7) reshoring manufacturing has the potential to create
millions of high-wage jobs, many of which do not require a
four-year post-secondary degree but may include industry-
recognized certificates;
(8) according to National Association of Manufacturers,
foreign direct investment in United States manufacturing
reached more than $2,400,000,000,000 in 2024, which has helped
reshoring and job creation efforts with about 244,000 jobs in
2024 and, according to Manufacturers Alliance, 268,000 jobs in
2023;
(9) current manufacturing workers need ongoing training to
keep pace with the expanding set of skills required for high-
quality, technologically advanced jobs;
(10) aligning workforce development programs with industry
needs is essential to foster the skills and competencies
necessary for high-quality jobs in a globally competitive
manufacturing sector;
(11) according to Apprenticeship USA, there were 97,500
registered apprentices in the advanced manufacturing industry
in 2025, a 20 percent increase over the past 5 years; and
(12) the United States should collaborate with allied and
partner nations to provide opportunities for work-based
learning, apprenticeships, certification programs, cooperative
education, and other initiatives to engage the future workforce
at all educational and career levels.
SEC. 3. MANUFACTURING REVITALIZATION EXCHANGE PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--There is established an international exchange
program to be known as the ``American Manufacturing Revitalization
Exchange Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``Program''),
which shall be administered by the Assistant Secretary, in accordance
with subsection (c), to increase manufacturing knowledge, training,
experience, expertise, and workforce in the United States.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of the Program are the following:
(1) To advance the domestic and foreign policy priorities
of the United States by promoting an international workforce
exchange in manufacturing sectors, including--
(A) robotics;
(B) semiconductors;
(C) aeronautics, including space operations;
(D) additive manufacturing;
(E) ship building, including shipping
manufacturing;
(F) energy, including mining;
(G) automotive; and
(H) any other sector the Secretary of State, in
consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the
Secretary of Commerce, identifies as strategically
important or critical and would benefit from the
Program.
(2) To send United States citizens from a trade or
manufacturing background to manufacturing institutions,
sectors, or companies in allied nations, and, in particular, in
allied nations who have entered into trade agreements with the
United States, to receive training in manufacturing skills.
(3) To build relations and to connect manufacturers in the
United States with technical institutions and manufacturing
entities in allied nations to share best practices for machine
operations, assembly, management, and other skills and
expertise related to manufacturing or supply chain security.
(4) To assist in developing a robust and skilled
manufacturing workforce in the United States that can support
and fill the gaps within the United States manufacturing
sectors.
(5) To assist in expanding and modernizing the
manufacturing labor force in the United States through
increased workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities.
(6) To reduce reliance on the foreign manufacturing
industry for skilled labor, components, parts, processes,
technology, and products related to national security and the
manufacturing sectors and to enhance the competitiveness of the
United States within the global manufacturing marketplace.
(7) To facilitate innovation with respect to casting,
molding, forming, machining, assembling, additive
manufacturing, and other processes pertaining to manufacturing.
(8) Not to subsidize corporations by funding the workforce
training of persons who are affiliated or have minority
interest in a United States company that has subsidiaries in an
allied country where the program will take place.
(c) Administration of Program.--
(1) Prior consultation.--The Assistant Secretary, shall
administer the Program after consultation with manufacturing
industry leaders, Manufacturing USA, the Secretary of Commerce,
the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training,
labor organizations, allied governments, and United States
diplomatic and consular posts located in allied nations.
(2) Limit on number of participants.--The Assistant
Secretary shall select not more than 10 participants for the
Program per year.
(3) Participant selection.--The Assistant Secretary shall--
(A) select Program participants in accordance with
the eligibility criteria under subsection (d) and in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and
Training, Manufacturing USA, and other manufacturing
groups; and
(B) ensure Program participants come from a wide
range of backgrounds and manufacturing regions in the
United States.
(4) Participant placement.--
(A) In general.--The Assistant Secretary, in
coordination with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary
of Commerce, and United States diplomatic and consular
posts located in allied nations, shall place Program
participants in a manufacturing sector, institution, or
company approved by the Assistant Secretary in an
allied nation.
(B) Outreach.--To the extent practicable, the
Assistant Secretary, in coordination with United States
diplomatic and consular posts, Manufacturing USA, the
Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and
other relevant Government agencies, shall conduct
outreach to relevant manufacturing, workers, and
workforce training organizations, as well as relevant
manufacturing companies, higher education institutions,
and to allied governments the Assistant Secretary
determines are likely to produce a range of qualified
applicants to be sent abroad.
(d) Participant Eligibility Criteria.--
(1) Mandatory requirements.--Each Program participant
shall--
(A) have--
(i) worked as an apprentice in a Program-
related manufacturing vocation, job, or field,
as determined by the Assistant Secretary;
(ii) completed a Program-related trade
curriculum apprenticeship, or an equivalent
apprenticeship, as determined by the Assistant
Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of
Labor; or
(iii) enrolled in at least a two-year or
four-year higher education institution, trade
manufacturing institution, or vocational school
and completed necessary pre-requisite courses
and training as determined by the Assistant
Secretary;
(B) be a United States citizen; and
(C) demonstrate proficiency in language skills or
provide a plan to obtain the language skills necessary
to participate in the Program with respect to the
allied nation the participant will be placed in.
(2) Additional considerations.--In selecting Program
participants, the Assistant Secretary may consider a variety of
factors, including whether participants--
(A) have experience as a manager or supervisor in a
field related to manufacturing;
(B) have experience as an instructor or trainer in
a vocation or apprentice program;
(C) hold a degree in a field related to
manufacturing;
(D) are in a position at a training program
overseen by a labor organization;
(E) have experience as an administrator in a higher
education institution related to manufacturing; or
(F) hold a faculty position in a higher education
institution related to manufacturing.
(e) Structure of Program.--
(1) Work plan.--To carry out the purposes described in
subsection (b)--
(A) with respect to Program participants, the
Assistant Secretary shall, in coordination with United
States diplomatic and consular posts in allied nations,
Manufacturing USA, and other relevant Government
agencies--
(i) approve a work plan that identifies the
target objectives for the participants,
including specific duties and responsibilities
relating to those objectives;
(ii) approve the manufacturing sectors,
companies, or institutions in allied nations in
which the participants will conduct their
workforce exchange;
(iii) coordinate and be authorized to enter
into agreements with the Secretary of Labor and
other relevant Government agencies to provide
credentials or recognition of on-the-job
training for participants that align with
manufacturing industry standards upon
completion of the Program;
(iv) ensure that the knowledge, skills, and
processes acquired by the participant are
documented, where practicable, through model-
based work instructions, digital assembly
documentation, other digital manufacturing
knowledge capture platforms, or social media
platforms, and disseminated in a public form to
Manufacturing USA, manufacturing institutions,
and employers upon the participant's return;
and
(v) find ways for students enrolled in a
higher education institution or a vocational or
apprenticeship program to receive course credit
after participation, to the best extent
possible; and
(B) the participants shall--
(i) participate in pre-travel orientation
and information sessions to learn about their
host allied nation, the format of the Program,
and the work and training expected;
(ii) participate in advanced coursework,
research projects, or practical training
opportunities, offered by the host institution
during completion of the Program;
(iii) engage with industry partners and
skilled experts to gain hands-on experience
with respect to best practices in the
manufacturing industry;
(iv) participate in research projects or
practical training opportunities offered by the
host institution during completion of the
Program;
(v) participate in professional development
activities, such as conferences, workshops,
trainings, and seminars, to expand knowledge of
best practices in manufacturing;
(vi) train with a professional skilled
tradesperson who has specialized expertise
related to a manufacturing sector;
(vii) record or track, to the best extent
possible, their experiences and skills learned,
to share with the Bureau of Educational and
Cultural Affairs, Manufacturing USA,
manufacturing institutions, and other relevant
government entities;
(viii) serve as a cultural and workforce
ambassador of the United States, fostering
mutual understanding with the host country's
manufacturing community;
(ix) participate in professional
development activities, such as conferences,
workshops, trainings, and seminars, to expand
knowledge of global best practices in
manufacturing;
(x) build and strengthen networks with
international peers, skilled tradespersons, and
industry professionals to facilitate ongoing
collaboration and knowledge exchange;
(xi) receive, upon completion of the
Program, industry recognized credentials,
certificates, letters of completion, or
equivalents, to mark the completion of training
in the relevant skill or skills developed
during the Program; and
(xii) be recognized, upon completion of the
Program, as alumni and, as such, be eligible to
participate in applicable Department of State
educational and cultural affairs alumni
networks, activities, and professional
development opportunities, subject to the
availability of appropriations.
(2) Program period.--Program periods shall be for a
duration to be determined by the Assistant Secretary but may
not be for a period longer than 12 months. A one-time renewal
for a period not longer than 6 months may be granted by the
Assistant Secretary in consultation with the relevant United
States diplomatic and consular post and allied nation
government.
(f) Exchange Award.--The Assistant Secretary shall provide each
Program participant with a stipend that is equal to the amount needed
for the participant's reasonable costs during the Program period, which
may include--
(1) living expenses, including housing, basic food costs,
and daily transportation;
(2) essential training materials;
(3) mandatory visa application, immigration fees, and other
essential pre-departure requirements;
(4) relocation expenses including airline and rail for
Program required travel;
(5) in-country travel allowance essential to travel to
manufacturing sites and institutions and Program related
travels;
(6) health care for participant and dependents;
(7) software licenses, digital training platforms, and
digital tools necessary to participate in trainings and skills
learning; and
(8) other reasonable related costs approved by the
Assistant Secretary.
(g) Reports.--Not later than one year after the date of completion
of the Program by the initial cohort of participants, and on an annual
basis thereafter, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the Senate a report providing information on the
implementation of the Program, including--
(1) with respect to Program participants--
(A) background information, including--
(i) qualifications;
(ii) geographical origins; and
(iii) any other relevant information the
Assistant Secretary determines necessary;
(B) the number of participants;
(C) the institutes, sectors, and companies the
participants were placed with;
(D) the type of work training the participants
engaged in;
(E) the types of cultural events and activities the
participants engaged in;
(F) feedback on the Program and lessons learned;
(G) the jobs, vocations, or trades sought after or
obtained after completing the Program; and
(H) feedback from the host institution, industry,
or company about the contributions of the participants;
(2) a description of manufacturing or work placements
selected and their relation to the development of United States
region-specific specialties under the Program;
(3) a plan for factoring in the lessons learned and
acquired skills-based knowledge into Program going forward;
(4) the total amount of funds used in support of the
Program and efforts taken to maximize the efficiency and
effectiveness of the funds used, including encouraging industry
partnerships and support of the program;
(5) any potential legislative recommendations to improve or
enhance the Program to achieve the goals;
(6) post-Program information that includes--
(A) the job, vocation, or trade the former
participant has sought after or obtained; and
(B) a report from the host institution, industry,
or company the participant found placement in, about
the contributions of the participants;
(7) a description of the digital tools, platforms, and
methodologies used to capture and transfer manufacturing
knowledge from host institutions to United States employers and
training programs, and an assessment of their effectiveness;
and
(8) the total amount of funds used in support of the
Program and efforts taken to maximize the efficiency and
effectiveness of the funds used, including encouraging industry
partnerships and support of the program.
SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION COORDINATION ASSISTANCE.
The Assistant Secretary, is encouraged to enter into agreements
with allied nations, and, in particular, in allied nations who have
entered into trade agreements with the United States as well as
corporate entities, and other appropriate organizations to create forms
of assistance for the purposes of supporting and sustaining the
development, implementation, administration the American Manufacturing
Revitalization Program authorized under this Act.
SEC. 5. AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE IN INDEPENDENT CONSULTATION.
In carrying out section 3(a), the Assistant Secretary is authorized
and encouraged to consult, as appropriate, with Manufacturing USA and
other relevant manufacturing, technical, and workforce organizations to
inform the identification and selection of other priority manufacturing
sectors to cooperate with when carrying out the American Manufacturing
Revitalization Program.
SEC. 6. STUDY FOR FUTURE EXPANSION.
The Assistant Secretary shall conduct a study on how to expand and
sustain the Program in the future so that it builds partnerships with
private sector, manufacturing entities, the Department of Labor, the
Department of Commerce, and labor organizations, which may be conducted
in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce,
Manufacturing USA, relevant Government agencies, and labor
organizations.
SEC. 7. SUNSET.
This Act, the requirements of this Act, and the American
Manufacturing Revitalization Program established by this Act shall end
on the date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 8. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Allied nation.--The term ``allied nation''--
(A) means--
(i) any country described in section
2350a(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code,
with a large manufacturing industry that
includes not less than one of the sectors
described in subsection (b)(1); or
(ii) any other country the Assistant
Secretary determines contains qualified
manufacturing sectors; and
(B) does not include any nation identified as a
``covered nation'' in section 2533c(d)(2) of title 10,
United States Code.
(2) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
means the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural
Affairs, who shall be responsible to the Secretary of State,
acting through the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy.
(3) Labor organizations.--The term ``labor organization''
is as defined in section 152(5) of title 29, United States
Code.
(4) Manufacturing sector.--The term ``manufacturing
sector'' means to engage in the mechanical, physical, or
chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components
into new products as defined by the North American Industry
Classification System 31-33 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
(5) Manufacturing usa.--The term ``Manufacturing USA''
means the program established under section 34 of the National
Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278s).
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