Bill Summary
The "Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act" mandates the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential for manufacturing critical infrastructure products within the United States. The study must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment and is required to:
1. Identify products in high demand across various critical infrastructure sectors that are currently being imported due to domestic manufacturing constraints.
2. Analyze the costs and benefits of manufacturing these products in the U.S., including impacts on jobs and product pricing.
3. Determine which of these identified products could feasibly be manufactured domestically.
4. Assess potential challenges to manufacturing these products in rural areas or industrial parks.
Following the study, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress within 18 months, detailing the findings and offering recommendations. The report will also be made publicly available on the Department of Commerce's website. Notably, the Act does not grant the Secretary the authority to compel information from individuals or entities. The term "critical infrastructure sector" refers to the 16 sectors designated in a Presidential Policy Directive.
Possible Impacts
The "Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act" can affect people in various ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Job Creation and Economic Impact**: The study mandated by the Act aims to identify products that could be manufactured domestically, which may lead to the establishment or expansion of manufacturing facilities. This could create jobs in various sectors, particularly in rural areas where such facilities may be located. An increase in employment could improve local economies and provide more stable incomes for individuals and families.
2. **Supply Chain Resilience**: By analyzing the feasibility of manufacturing critical infrastructure products domestically, the Act could help mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities highlighted by global disruptions (e.g., pandemics, geopolitical tensions). If U.S. manufacturing capabilities are strengthened, it can lead to more reliable access to essential goods and services, benefiting consumers and businesses reliant on these products.
3. **Cost Implications for Consumers**: The study will evaluate the costs and benefits of domestic manufacturing, which could ultimately affect product pricing. If the analysis finds that manufacturing certain products in the U.S. is feasible and cost-effective, it may lead to lower prices for consumers due to reduced shipping costs and tariffs associated with imports. Conversely, if domestic production proves to be more expensive, consumers might face higher prices for these critical products.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1721 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1721
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 29, 2025
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study on the
feasibility of manufacturing in the United States products for critical
infrastructure sectors, 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 ``Critical Infrastructure
Manufacturing Feasibility Act''.
SEC. 2. STUDY ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED
STATES.
(a) Study.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall conduct a study to--
(1) identify, within each critical infrastructure sector,
any product that is in high demand and is being imported due to
a manufacturing, material, or supply chain constraint in the
United States;
(2) analyze the costs and benefits of manufacturing in the
United States any product identified under paragraph (1),
including any effects on--
(A) jobs, employment rates, and labor conditions in
the United States; and
(B) the cost of the product;
(3) identify any product identified under paragraph (1)
that feasibly may be manufactured in the United States; and
(4) analyze the feasibility of, and any impediments to,
manufacturing any product identified under paragraph (3) in--
(A) a rural area;
(B) an industrial park; or
(C) an industrial park in a rural area.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) submit to Congress a report containing the results of
the study required by subsection (a), with recommendations
relating to manufacturing in the United States products
identified under subsection (a)(3); and
(2) make the report available to the public on the website
of the Department of Commerce.
(c) Limitation on Authority.--This section may not be construed to
provide the Secretary of Commerce with authority to compel a person to
provide information described in this section.
(d) Definition of Critical Infrastructure Sector.--In this section,
the term ``critical infrastructure sector'' means each of the 16
designated critical infrastructure sectors identified in Presidential
Policy Directive
21 of February 12, 2013 (Critical Infrastructure Security and
Resilience).
Passed the House of Representatives April 28, 2025.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.