Peace Through Strength
Task Force on Manufacturing Competitiveness
Overview
The inaugural Reagan Institute Task Force builds on the policy conversations that took place at the 2018 Reagan National Defense Forum by convening prominent thought leaders, public officials, and industry executives to produce a report detailing recommendations to ensure the United States is technologically prepared to meet 21st century challenges and possesses the National Security Innovation Base (NSIB) workforce required to promote America’s security and prosperity, as well as a peaceful international order.
Key Recommendations
Scale up workforce development programs to credential more workers for high-demand trades
We should expand employers’ roles in workforce training by repurposing existing federal education grants to allow high school graduates to earn credentialed skills. U.S. manufacturers should commit to fund 500,000 new graduates of trade school and apprenticeship programs over the next decade.
Stand up a public-private capability to finance investments in domestic manufacturing sectors critical to national security
The federal government must develop the capability to work with private sector employers, as well as state and local governments, to provide liquidity and low-cost capital to critical domestic manufacturers and infrastructure.
Modernize the Defense Production Act for the 21st Century
Update the DPA to enable holistic solutions for critical manufacturing facilities, such as targeted visa approvals for STEM talent, direct project financing, automatic fast-tracking of permits, and investments in workforce training.
Establish a new forum of G7 + Quad countries to coordinate on geoeconomic issues
The United States should establish a new forum to promote enhanced coordination on topics like growth, data governance, technology standards, and supply chain security.
Task Force Co Chairs!!
Task Force Members
Ms. Chandra Brown
CEO, MxD, and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing, U.S. Department of Commerce
Rep. Michael McCaul
Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative, Texas
Mr. Dan Bryant
Senior Vice President for Global Public Policy & Government Affairs, Walmart Inc., and Former Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Mr. Matthew Pottinger
Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, and Former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor
Dr. Andrew Erdmann
Former Chief Operating Officer, State of Missouri
Mr. Robert Simmons
Vice President of Defense, Space & Security, Boeing Government Operations, and Former Staff Director, U.S. House Armed Services Committee
Rep. Mike Gallagher
U.S. Representative, Wisconsin, and Captain (Ret.), U.S. Marine Corps
Rep. Elissa Slotkin
U.S. Representative, Michigan, and Former Analyst, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency
Dr. Katy George
Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
Ms. Kathy Wengel
Executive Vice President & Chief Global Supply Chain Officer, Johnson & Johnson
Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
U.S. Representative, Pennsylvania, and Captain (Ret.), U.S. Air Force
Ms. Maggie Wilderotter
Board Chairman, DocuSign, and Former Chairman & CEO, Frontier Communication
Mr. John May
Founder and Managing Partner, CORE Industrial Partners
Reagan Institute Task Force Staff
Mr. Roger Zakheim
Director
Ms. Rachel Hoff
Policy Director
Mr. Keeghan Sweeney
Former Policy Associate
Mr. James Mismash
Policy Assistant
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