American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026

[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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