Congress Supports Full Funding for MEP

The Senate and Congressional Manufacturing Task Forces garnered support from a majority of senators and representatives for continued funding of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Senators Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT), co-chairs of the Senate Task Force, drew support from 58 Senators with both parties joining forces to support MEP. Representatives Jack Quinn (R-NY) and Marty Meehan (D-MA), co-chairs of the Congressional Task Force, spearheaded the House effort and won support from 203 colleagues. The California House delegation and Congressional Hispanic Caucus sent letters of their own bringing the total House support to 246 Representatives. The letters support $110 million for MEP in the FY 2004 appropriations bills

As in FY 2003, the Administration's FY 2004 budget request recommended phasing out federal funding for MEP to less than $13 million. In FY 2003, Congress provided $106.6 million for the program.

The MEP network of 60 centers with 400 locations across the country and in Puerto Rico help manufacturers to adopt and use the latest and most efficient technologies, processes and business practices.

Senators and Representative signing the manufacturing task force letters noted, “As the U.S. economy struggles with recovery, MEP clients are increasing sales, hiring workers, and investing in plant modernization . . . MEP services help our small manufacturers maintain good jobs and advanced production capacity in our country.”

In addition to the House and Senate letters, Congress demonstrated further support for the MEP program in the recently passed FY 2004 Budget Resolution. The accompanying joint conference report notes, “The President's proposal to discontinue the Manufacturing Extension Program, however, is not assumed by the Senate amendment.”

More information on the Manufacturing Extension Partnership is available at: http://www.mep.nist.gov