When I talk to constituents in New Hampshire’s First District, I find that while there are many issues dividing our residents politically, there is one issue that always creates the same response – manufacturing. They want to see the companies that left America return. They want to see the label “Made in America” again. It is a matter of pride as well as jobs, and they want Congress to help make that happen.

I share that opinion. I worked my way through college with factory jobs. They paid better than most other local jobs at that time, and there was more overtime. Now, when I shop, I think about the good people I worked with. Those factories are long gone. But there are still others making American products, and I try to keep those employees working by buying American-made products.

Three recent purchases show the challenges we face. I needed dishes and I wanted American-made. I spent several hours looking, but finally found an American company. However, I could not find American-made, every-day silverware.

Next, I went to a number of stores looking for an American-made pocketbook. There weren’t any. One of our local chain stores had one. Just one. Eventually, I gave up and looked online for
American-made brands. I did find an American product, but it was far harder than it should be. The last example was furniture. There were only a few American-made pieces every place I looked. It took me a few weeks, but I found a couch made in North Carolina. There was a time when all of these purchases could have been made in just one afternoon, but now we struggle to find American brands in our retail stores. This is just wrong.

When I was a child, an article made abroad caught my attention because it was unusual. Now, American-made labels catch my eye. There is a long list of reasons for this – mistakes made in trade policies sit at the top, in my opinion – but we now need to try to reverse this.

I believe we can bring good jobs back home and see that label again, but we need a plan.

I was an original member of the “Make it in America Working Group” that Congressman Steny Hoyer launched a few years ago. I have rejoined the group, and we are working to pass legislation that will support American manufacturers.

The Make it in America plan has four major parts. First, we need a national manufacturing strategy. Other countries have highly developed strategies that offer tax incentives, support for infrastructure projects, investments in research, etc. It is time for America to do the same.

Second, we need to increase exports. There are a number of barriers holding companies back from global markets. We need enforcement of fair trade laws, and we need to help our businesses navigate through the maze of rules and regulations here and abroad. Other countries are far more aggressive in helping their businesses access foreign markets. American businesses also need better communication, road, and rail infrastructure to compete on equal footing.

The Make It In America plan also encourages businesses to return. Currently, there is a bill to eliminate the tax deduction for moving expenses for companies that send jobs abroad and to offer a tax credit to them if they bring jobs back.

There is also a bill that gives companies preference in government contracting and a 5 percent reduction in taxable income if they make at least 90 percent of their goods and services in America, and that pays at least 70 percent of an employee’s health insurance costs. There are many other bills that offer help to companies as well.

The fourth part of the plan is to train and secure a 21 century workforce. We need to compete in a world market. Therefore, our students need top skills and education. The plan calls for all stakeholders – the government, educational institutions, and private industry – to work together to prepare students. One proposed bill would give a tax credit to businesses that offer apprenticeships and then keep the employee on the payroll for at least two years after the training.

Americans are ready to move on this agenda. Make It In America sounds right and feels right because it is right. Congress might not be leading on this, but they could at least follow their constituents and start putting Make It In America bills on the floor.

Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter represents the New Hampshire’s 1st District. She can be reached at 1530 Longworth HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515, or by calling 202-225-5456. Also at 33 Lowell St., Manchester, NH 03101, by calling 641-9536, or visiting www.shea-porter.house.gov. She is serving on the House Armed Services Committee and the Natural Resources Committee.