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Washington, D.C. – The 17�Թ����� today announced the addition of former Transportation Security Administration Assistant Administrator for Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Alexa Lopez as the 17�Թ�����’s vice president of communications and public affairs, a newly created position designed to build on the 17�Թ�����’s strategic outreach and advocacy efforts.

“Alexa knows how to navigate complex challenges, craft compelling narratives and drive real impact,” said 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “She has built a career on delivering results, and manufacturers will benefit from her ability to elevate our industry’s voice at a time when manufacturers’ influence on the future has never been more important. She will be a strong champion for the policies that power innovation, create jobs and keep manufacturing in America strong.”

As 17�Թ����� vice president of communications and public affairs, Lopez will lead efforts to amplify the voice of manufacturers and advocate for policies that advance the competitiveness of manufacturers in the United States. She will report to 17�Թ����� Managing Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs Jamie Hennigan.

Previously, Lopez led all strategic communications and public affairs efforts at TSA, serving as principal communications adviser to the TSA administrator on all external and internal communications. She also served in key public affairs roles at the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the American Society of Civil Engineers, Ogilvy Public Relations and the City of Bloomington, Indiana. She holds a Master of Public Affairs and Master of Arts in Arts Administration from the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Lopez was proudly born and raised in Dayton, Ohio.

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the passing of Jerry Jasinowski, former 17�Թ����� president and CEO (1990–2004) and former president of the Manufacturing Institute, the 17�Թ�����’s 501(c)3 workforce development and education affiliate:

“For decades, Jerry Jasinowski was a force for good in our nation’s capital, a champion for policies that created economic opportunity, a standard-bearer for the industry and an advocate for the manufacturing workforce of America.

“Jerry guided the 17�Թ����� through some of the most consequential policy debates and economic shifts of the era, shaping the post-Cold War economy. As lawmakers debated history-making agreements like NAFTA and the Trade Promotion Authority Act, they turned to Jerry for expertise and insight. When recession hit in the early 1990s and early 2000s, his steady advocacy helped guide the nation and the industry toward recovery, and his political and media savvy shaped public perceptions of manufacturing. He was a persistent and persuasive voice, not only in the halls of power, but on the air and on America’s editorial pages.

“As Jerry led the industry through a time of transformation, he also transformed the 17�Թ����� for the better. He elevated the voices of America’s small and medium-sized manufacturers, allowing them to tell their stories directly to members of Congress and giving them a larger role in shaping the direction of the association. Many of America’s small and family-owned manufacturers are the leading voices in today’s most consequential debates on taxes, regulations and more. That, too, is a result of Jerry’s foresight.

“Jerry had the vision to recognize the need to build the manufacturing workforce of tomorrow, and under his leadership, the Manufacturing Institute was created. It became one of his proudest accomplishments and is undoubtedly a cornerstone of his legacy. Today, the MI is the authority on talent in manufacturing, providing recruitment and retention strategies to companies nationwide.

“Through numerous innovative programs, the MI is engaging students as early as middle and high school, recruiting women into manufacturing careers, leading apprenticeship and job training programs, helping veterans transition into the industry and creating opportunities through second-chance programs for individuals reentering the workforce. Its rapid and continued growth and the lives it has changed are a testament to the wisdom of Jerry’s vision.

“From his earlier days as a senior economic adviser to former President Jimmy Carter to his later years as an author and columnist, Jerry spent a career in the spotlight, working alongside and counseling presidents, chief executives and media personalities. But his focus remained steadfast—empowering the people who make things in America and improving livelihoods for all.

“The 17�Թ����� today mourns the loss of a beloved former leader, whose vision and example we still revere today. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Isabel, and to his entire family and all his loved ones, and we make a commitment to celebrate and advance his legacy. After all, his legacy is a stronger, more engaged, more respected manufacturing industry in America.”

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.93 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – The 17�Թ����� announced new 2025 leadership for its Council of Manufacturing Associations at the CMA 2025 Winter Leadership Conference. Alison Bodor, president and CEO of the American Frozen Food Institute, will serve as chair, and Corey Rosenbusch, president and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute, will serve as vice chair.

“The CMA’s work demonstrates how manufacturing associations are stronger together. I am proud to have the opportunity to serve as chair, and I look forward to working with my peer association CEOs and our respective organizations from across the nation to advance a competitiveness agenda that strengthens America’s manufacturing community,” said Bodor.

Made up of more than 200 industry-specific manufacturing associations representing 130,000 companies worldwide, the CMA creates powerful partnerships across the industry, working with the 17�Թ����� to unite the manufacturing association community, and ultimately the broader business community, around strategies for increased manufacturing job creation, investment and innovation in America.

“Alison and Corey have been essential to the CMA’s mission of creating a united association community and amplifying the voices of manufacturers across the country,” said 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “After years of pushing back against a federal regulatory onslaught, their leadership will be vital as we work with a new Congress and administration to enact pro-growth tax and regulatory reforms that will allow manufacturers in America to thrive.”

Prior to leading the American Frozen Food Institute, Bodor served as executive vice president of the National Confectioners Association. She previously served as CMA vice chair.

Newly appointed 2025 CMA board members include the following:

• Bill Allmond, president, Adhesive and Sealant Council
• Ned Monroe, president and CEO, Vinyl Institute
• Debra Phillips, president and CEO, National Electrical Manufacturers Association
• Cindy Squires, president and CEO, American Composite Manufacturers Association

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – Following the publication of new final guidance by the U.S. Department of Treasury for the hydrogen production tax credit, 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement:

“America leads when we unleash all our energy potential, including hydrogen, American natural gas, nuclear and more. With a strong build-out of hydrogen production facilities, we will be able to add more sources of reliable energy for manufacturers, power plants and communities while cementing our energy dominance.

“The 17�Թ����� has advocated consistently for flexibility in the credit using project-specific emissions data rather than national or regional averages. The Biden administration’s guidance provides manufacturers with an important step forward. But for hydrogen to truly become a game-changing energy source, we need to address restrictions that make it harder to cost-compete on a global scale. A robust and flexible hydrogen industry will also be a major boon to the production and utilization of American natural gas as well as American nuclear power.

“Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we have an opportunity to cut taxes, slash red tape and unleash permitting reform—turning this credit into a powerful tool for American energy leadership and fuel security. It’s time to build on this momentum and ensure these incentives deliver on their full promise for America’s manufacturers, workers and economy.”

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the passing of President Jimmy Carter:

“In his long and remarkable life, President Carter set an example of service, decency and honor. Regardless of whether one supported him politically or not, all can agree that he showed his fellow Americans what it means to lead with heart and conviction, to put one’s faith into action and to demonstrate humility and dignity no matter one’s rank or position. Indeed, from his early days in the Navy to his later years teaching Sunday school, President Carter always strove to serve a cause larger than himself.

“He came into office when America was still reeling from political scandal and a divisive war, and he was forced to contend with nationwide economic hardship and successive geopolitical crises. Despite the circumstances, it cannot be denied that he demonstrated an unshakeable commitment to the values that positively shape our civil society.

“Those values would guide his efforts in the following four decades, during which, in many ways, he defined the modern post-presidency. The former commander in chief was just as comfortable picking up a hammer to build homes for those in need as he was flying overseas to lead diplomatic missions. Through the Carter Center, the farmer from Plains, Georgia, became one of the world’s best-known human rights advocates and staunchest defenders of democracy. Manufacturers certainly share his belief that democracy is what makes our way of life possible.

“As the nation mourns the loss of our longest-living former president and honors all that he and Rosalynn, his beloved wife of 77 years, meant to our country, our prayers and condolences go out to the Carter family.”

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – Following the release of Congress’ year-end government funding package, 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the inclusion of pharmacy benefit manager reforms:

“Manufacturers commend House Speaker Mike Johnson, committee leadership and reform champions for their work on a government funding package that tackles rising health care costs via important PBM reforms. The 17�Թ����� has long championed congressional efforts to rein in PBMs, underregulated middlemen that increase health care costs for manufacturers and manufacturing workers. The government funding package released today will increase transparency into these powerful actors, ensure they pass rebates on to patients and plan sponsors and delink their compensation from drug costs. These are vital steps toward lowering Americans’ health care costs—the top business challenge facing manufacturers, according to the most recent Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey—and Congress should act swiftly to pass this package of much-needed reforms.

“Although permitting reform was not included in the final package, we are confident that President Donald Trump will continue to focus on the urgent need to enact comprehensive permitting reform. We look forward to working with incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Speaker Johnson and their colleagues in congressional leadership to ensure manufacturers can build a more prosperous nation.”

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – The 17�Թ����� today responded to the Department of Energy’s report on liquefied natural gas exports and highlighted the harmful impact of the DOE’s misguided attempts to restrict new LNG export terminals.

A comprehensive study conducted by the 17�Թ�����, in collaboration with PwC, reveals that robust LNG export operations could support more than 900,000 jobs, contribute up to $216 billion to U.S. GDP and generate $46 billion in tax revenue by 2044. Furthermore, the LNG sector supports approximately 222,450 jobs, resulting in $23.2 billion in labor income, and contributes $43.8 billion to the national GDP.

“Today’s report from Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is clearly a politically motivated document designed for an audience who believes no form of carbon-based energy is acceptable. LNG exports play a crucial role in reducing emissions by providing cleaner energy alternatives to countries reliant on higher emission sources,” said 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons.

“The result of the LNG export ban that has been in place since January is chilled energy investment, costing the country manufacturing jobs and holding us back from achieving energy dominance on the world stage. The DOE’s report claims to be concerned about security, but the actions of this administration on LNG only serve to incentivize Europe to purchase natural gas from Russia.

“The data is clear: LNG exports are a driving force for economic growth and job creation in the United States. Halting LNG export licenses as suggested would threaten nearly a million jobs and undermine our nation’s economic stability. The 17�Թ����� asks President Trump to end this political war on the energy manufacturers that power our economy, fuel job growth and help ensure America’s national security.”

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit 

Washington, D.C. – The 17�Թ����� released its Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey for Q4 2024, which illustrates that even with ongoing economic challenges, manufacturers are more optimistic post-election about potential action on expiring tax provisions and efforts to curb the regulatory onslaught. According to the latest reading, 70.9% of respondents are positive about their company’s outlook, up from 62.9% in Q3.

“Manufacturing is central to the strength of the U.S. economy, and nearly 8 out of 10 manufacturers state that restoring and protecting key provisions of the 2017 tax law will be extremely important to making manufacturers in the U.S. more competitive,” said 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons. “In this survey, manufacturers also stress the importance of strengthening energy security and reining in the regulatory onslaught that has stymied the industry, providing ample opportunity to stimulate growth in the new year.

“There are still economic headwinds that make it more difficult for manufacturers to create jobs, invest in their communities, develop new and improved products and grow the economy. Our industry will count on the next administration and Congress to prioritize policies that make America the most competitive business climate in the world.”

Key Survey Findings:

• In Q4, the top business challenge was rising health care/insurance costs (63.2%).
• The top concern in Q3 2024, a weaker domestic economy and sales for our products to U.S. customers, was the second highest concern in Q4 (58.0%).
• Trade uncertainty was the third biggest challenge in Q4 at 56.1%, soaring from the level of concern expressed in Q3 at 36.8%, and was the top challenge for large manufacturers at 68.7%.
• Attracting and retaining a quality workforce now ranks as the fourth highest concern (55.8%) after topping the list from Q4 2020 to Q2 2024.
• Next year, key provisions of tax reform are set to expire, driving up costs for businesses throughout the manufacturing supply chain. When asked how important it was that Congress and the new administration prevent these tax increases, 79% of respondents answered extremely important.

The 17�Թ����� releases these results to the public each quarter. Further information on the survey is available here.

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit 

Washington, D.C. – Today, the 17�Թ�����, along with more than 100 manufacturing associations, sent a to President Donald Trump laying out a roadmap for regulatory actions across a wide range of agencies that would boost the manufacturing economy and put a stop to the regulatory onslaught that is costing manufacturers each year.

Manufacturers have made the case that unbalanced, unworkable regulations severely impact our ability to grow and create jobs. Today’s letter lays out specific steps the new administration can take to reverse the trend of federal agency overreach—providing much-needed regulatory certainty to manufacturers and empowering the industry to continue to make the long-term investments that drive job creation, growth and economic competitiveness here in the United States.

The letter states, in part:

Dear President-elect Trump,

Right now, regulations are strangling our economy. Manufacturers are shouldering enormous regulatory compliance costs—nearly $350 billion annually, or 12% of our entire sector’s contribution to U.S. GDP. For smaller manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees, these costs can exceed $50,000 per employee each year. This means that a small manufacturer with just 20 employees pays $1 million per year to comply with federal regulations—rather than investing those funds in raises or new jobs.

The regulatory onslaught reached a fever pitch during the Biden administration. Prior to the election, the 17�Թ����� surveyed the industry and found a significant decline in optimism among manufacturers, with an unfavorable business climate, particularly taxes and regulations, cited as a primary business challenge by more than 60% of respondents.

You have the opportunity to tackle this challenge by addressing burdensome regulations that are stifling investment, making us less competitive in the world, limiting innovation and threatening the very jobs we are all working to create right here in America.

The letter highlights more than three dozen regulatory actions the Trump administration can take to support manufacturing growth, including the following:

• Liquefied Natural Gas Export Ban: On Day One of your administration, lift the pause on LNG exports through an updated national interest assessment.
• Permitting Reform: Appoint an official within your administration to help coordinate policies across the executive branch to ease the permitting burden. Specifically, your administration should start by prioritizing a reconsideration of the “NEPA Phase 2 Rule” and the current implementation of the permitting reform provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.
• National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter and Ozone: Reconsider and relax the Biden administration’s NAAQS for PM2.5 rule and maintain both the primary and secondary standard for the NAAQS for ozone rule at 70 parts per billion.
• Power Plant Rules: Replace the Environmental Protection Agency’s rule for existing coal-fired and new natural gas–fired power plants with workable standards.
• Proxy Advisory Firms and the Proxy Process: Rescind Staff Legal Bulletin 14L and end the politicization of the proxy process. Additionally, enforce and preserve the 2020 proxy advisory firm rule while taking steps to build on its reforms with additional policies modeled on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s 2019 proposal.

To view the full letter and list of regulations, click .

Background:

In 2023, the 17�Թ�����, along with members of the 17�Թ�����’s Council of Manufacturing Associations and Conference of State Manufacturers Associations, launched the Manufacturers for Sensible Regulations coalition to address the impact of the regulatory onslaught coming from federal agencies.

An 17�Թ�����-commissioned on the cost of federal regulations to the U.S. economy shows the following:

• The total cost of federal regulations exceeds $3 trillion each year, an amount equal to 11% of U.S. GDP.
• Federal regulations cost the manufacturing sector about $350 billion per year.
• Small manufacturers with fewer than 50 employees face disproportionate regulatory burdens, incurring costs of more than $50,000 per employee per year to comply with federal regulations.
• Since 2012, there has been a $465 billion increase in aggregate regulatory compliance costs.

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .

Washington, D.C. – 17�Թ����� President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement on the nomination of Paul Atkins to serve as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission:

“Manufacturers commend President Trump’s nomination of Paul Atkins to serve as the next chair of the SEC. During his time as an SEC commissioner under President Bush, Chair-designate Atkins was a champion for capital formation and ensuring that manufacturers—and especially small manufacturers—were able to attract the investment they needed to grow and succeed. America’s world-leading capital markets must continue to support capital formation for manufacturing growth and long-term, shared economic prosperity for America’s Main Street investors.

“Manufacturers look forward to working with Chair-designate Atkins to ensure that our nation’s securities regulations empower manufacturers to grow, innovate and support workers and communities nationwide. Manufacturers urge Chair-designate Atkins to act immediately to rescind Staff Legal Bulletin 14L, a misguided standard that politicizes public companies’ proxy ballots and distracts from shareholder value creation; defend and enforce the SEC’s landmark 2020 rule bringing much-needed oversight to proxy advisory firms—and build on these reforms to further rein in proxy firms’ outsized influence; and revisit overreaching and costly reporting requirements finalized during recent years to ensure that the SEC’s disclosure regime remains focused on material information for investors—rather than inflexible mandates that hinder innovation and growth.

“As the backbone of the American economy, manufacturers of all sizes depend on fair, transparent and balanced regulatory policies to fuel growth and provide opportunity for millions of workers and investors. Paul Atkins’ leadership offers an opportunity to refocus the SEC’s priorities on fostering economic growth and protecting investors without imposing unnecessary burdens on manufacturers.”

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The 17�Թ����� is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The 17�Թ����� is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the 17�Թ����� or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit .