Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-IA) bipartisan bill aimed at reviving American manufacturing has cleared the Senate Commerce Committee and is on track for swift Senate passage. The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), would direct the Commerce Secretary to identify key imported goods and explore how to help U.S. manufacturers produce them domestically, especially in rural and industrial areas.
The legislation is expected to be “hotlined,” a process that allows bills to pass by unanimous consent without a formal vote. Ernst described the bill as a vital step toward ending U.S. dependence on foreign adversaries for critical goods, especially in light of rising geopolitical threats. “This is a major step in bringing supply chains home, boosting domestic manufacturing, and ending our reliance on foreign adversaries for critical goods,” Ernst said in a statement.
The bill complements two other efforts Ernst is championing. The Made in America Manufacturing Act (MAMFA) would double the Small Business Administration loan cap from $5 million to $10 million for small manufacturers. This funding is designed to help businesses modernize, expand, and train new workers. Ernst emphasized that 98 percent of U.S. manufacturing firms are small businesses, and loan demand has surged since President Trump took office.
Administrator Kelly Loeffler praised the legislation, stating it would “supercharge the return of American manufacturing” by equipping businesses with the capital to rebuild critical supply chains and reduce dependence on globalist-driven policies. She highlighted the need to empower job creators rather than cater to bureaucrats and political interests.
Ernst is also pushing the Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply (MAPS) Act, aimed at securing America’s medical supply chain and reducing dependency on China. The bill aligns with ongoing conservative efforts to bring production back to U.S. soil, strengthen national security, and protect American jobs.
Together, the three bills signal a renewed push by conservatives to rebuild America’s industrial backbone, restore manufacturing independence, and support job creation through direct legislative action.
