H.R. 1721: Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act

This bill, known as the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study regarding the manufacturing capabilities in the United States concerning products essential for critical infrastructure sectors. The main objectives and components of the bill are as follows:

Study Requirements

Within one year of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce is required to carry out a study that will:

• Identify Products: Determine products that are in high demand within each critical infrastructure sector that are currently being imported due to issues related to manufacturing, materials, or supply chain constraints in the U.S.
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Analyze the costs and benefits of manufacturing these identified products in the U.S., focusing on their impacts on:
• Jobs and Labor Conditions: The effects on employment rates and labor conditions within the U.S.
• Product Costs: The overall cost of producing the product in the U.S.
• Feasibility Assessment: Identify which of the previously identified products can feasibly be manufactured in the U.S.
• Impediments to Manufacturing: Analyze any barriers to manufacturing these feasible products, particularly in:
• Rural Areas
• Industrial Parks
• Industrial Parks in Rural Areas

Reporting to Congress

Not later than 18 months after the Act is enacted, the Secretary of Commerce must:

• Submit a report to Congress that includes the findings from the study and recommendations regarding manufacturing in the U.S. of the identified products.
• Make the report publicly accessible through the Department of Commerce's website.

Limitations on Authority

This section specifies that the Secretary of Commerce does not have the authority to compel individuals or businesses to provide information for the study.

Definition of Critical Infrastructure Sector

The term "critical infrastructure sector" refers to the 16 sectors defined in Presidential Policy Directive 21, which was issued on February 12, 2013. These sectors include areas essential for the functioning of the economy and the safety and security of the nation.

Relevant Companies

• CSCO (Cisco Systems, Inc.) - Cisco manufactures networking hardware which is critical for communication infrastructure and may be impacted by domestic manufacturing initiatives.
• GE (General Electric Company) - GE is involved in various critical sectors such as energy and transportation; they may be affected by changes in domestic manufacturing policies.
• IBM (International Business Machines Corporation) - IBM's technology solutions play a significant role in infrastructure sectors and could be influenced by the study's outcomes regarding local manufacturing capabilities.
• MMM (3M Company) - As a key player in manufacturing products across various industries, including healthcare and safety, 3M may see changes based on the focus on U.S. manufacturing.