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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) today hosted House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-5) in Michigan to discuss manufacturing issues and highlight the successful recovery of the U.S. auto industry. Dingell and Hoyer participated in a roundtable discussion with auto suppliers at Neapco, Inc. in Belleville, Michigan organized by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its division Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). They also toured the Ford Dearborn Truck Plant, located in the Ford Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan with plant management, labor leaders and auto workers. 

Dingell and Hoyer are seeking input from manufacturers, workers and business leaders to update the Make It In America plan, which Hoyer launched in 2010, to best support manufacturing and keep jobs in America. 

“The auto industry is the backbone of our nation’s economy, and no place is more central to America’s manufacturing story than southeast Michigan,” said Dingell. “It’s an honor to highlight the best motor vehicles made in the world and meet with OEMs, suppliers and workers with Steny Hoyer, who is a strong and tireless advocate for American manufacturing. When Congress reconvenes this month, we will continue working together with our colleagues to advance policies that help the domestic auto industry compete in a global economy, protect and create good paying jobs for the working men and women of this country, and ensure Michigan continues to lead in manufacturing.”  

“Our auto industry has always been at the heart of America’s economy and helps sustain and grow millions of high-skill, high-wage manufacturing jobs in Michigan and across the country,” said Whip Hoyer. “Since arriving in Congress, Rep. Dingell has been a tireless advocate for a strong auto industry and policies that help America’s auto workers compete for jobs and opportunities today and in the future. Today’s visit was a reminder of how important this industry is to ensuring that our businesses and workers can continue to Make It In America for years to come.”

“We were pleased to host Rep. Dingell and Whip Hoyer today to discuss the vital role auto suppliers play in the motor vehicle industry and the American economy,” said Julie A. Fream, President and CEO of OESA. “Suppliers account for nearly two-thirds of the value of vehicles produced today, and in total, the auto supplier industry accounts for more than 3.6 million jobs nationwide. We look forward to working with Rep. Dingell and Whip Hoyer to ensure the industry can continue to grow and support high-skill manufacturing jobs in Michigan and across the country.”

Motor equipment suppliers make up the nation’s single largest manufacturing sector, contributing $355 billion to the economy. The Ford Rouge Complex is an icon of American manufacturing. Since its opening in 1917, the Rouge Plant has led manufacturing innovations and served hundreds of thousands of workers. Today, it is a high-tech, modern facility that produces, among other things, the all-new Ford F-150, which features a military grade aluminum-alloy body.

Whip Hoyer has led the Make It In America initiative to strengthen American manufacturing since 2010. Since its inception, the initiative has led to 16 bills being signed into law. Rep. Dingell testified on the future of manufacturing at a hearing hosted by Congressman Hoyer on July 9, 2015, where she discussed her efforts to develop a Scale-Up Manufacturing Investment Fund to support scale production of new, innovative products in the United States. Dingell will join with House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez to introduce the Scale-up Manufacturing Investment Company Act of 2015 when Congress resumes session in early September.