Miller-Meeks Bill to Bring Critical Manufacturing Back to Iowa Heads to President’s Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate today passed bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) to strengthen Iowa and American manufacturing, identify critical products currently being imported, and help bring more production and good-paying jobs back to the United States.

“Iowa has the skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise, and strong communities America needs to lead the next generation of domestic manufacturing." said Miller-Meeks. "For too long, critical production has moved overseas, leaving American workers behind and making our country dependent on foreign supply chains. This bipartisan bill gives us a roadmap to bring that production home, create more opportunities for Iowa workers, and strengthen our nation’s economic and national security. I thank Senator Ernst for her leadership in the Senate, and look forward to President Trump signing this critical bill into law."

“My bipartisan bill will identify vulnerabilities in our supply chains and help bring manufacturing back to rural America, where Iowans are ready to roll up their sleeves, get to work, and once again make ‘Made in America’ the norm instead of the exception,” said Senator Ernst. “I look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”

"By examining which critical products could be manufactured domestically, and specifically whether rural communities and industrial parks can support that production, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act gives places like Lee County a fair look as the nation evaluates its supply chains. Lee County has available industrial sites and an experienced manufacturing workforce. We appreciate Congresswoman Miller-Meeks' work to see this bill through to final passage." - Emily Benjamin, President & CEO, Lee County Economic Development Group

"The Quad Cities Chamber thanks Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Senator Joni Ernst for advancing the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act. For a region with a strong manufacturing base, understanding opportunities to expand domestic production is critical to long-term economic growth. We appreciate their leadership on legislation that supports American manufacturers and helps position communities like the Quad Cities for future investment and job creation." - Elizabeth Tanner, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Quad Cities Chamber

“Strengthening America’s critical supply chains is essential to our economic and national security,” said NAM Vice President of Domestic Policy Chris Phalen. “ The Critical Infrastructure Feasibility Act will help identify vulnerabilities created by overreliance on foreign sources while expanding manufacturing here at home. That includes understanding the real-world obstacles manufacturers face when trying to build and grow—exactly why comprehensive permitting reform remains so important. Importantly, this legislation takes transparent and measured approach by requiring the findings to be made public. We thank Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Sen. Joni Ernst for advancing bipartisan legislation to help strengthen manufacturing in the U.S.”

What the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act Does

• Identifies critical products: Directs the Department of Commerce to identify high-demand products that America currently imports because of manufacturing, material, or supply chain constraints.
• Finds opportunities to manufacture in America: Examines the costs, benefits, jobs, and feasibility of producing those products domestically.
• Creates opportunities for rural Iowa: Specifically examines whether products can be manufactured in rural communities and industrial parks, helping identify opportunities to bring new manufacturing investment and jobs to places like Iowa.

The bill also strengthens national security by examining vulnerabilities created when critical infrastructure depends on foreign supply chains. The legislation covers all 16 federally designated critical infrastructure sectors, including energy, communications, transportation, health care, and defense.

Background

The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Miller-Meeks in 2023 and reintroduced in the 119th Congress with bipartisan support. The House passed H.R. 1721 in April 2025. Senator Ernst and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester led the companion legislation in the Senate.

Click HERE to read the bill text for H.R. 1721, the Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act

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