Task Force on Manufacturing Competitiveness

A Manufacturing Renaissance

Bolstering U.S. Production for National Security and Economic Prosperity

Report of the Task Force on National Security and U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness

Mission Statement

The Task Force on National Security and U.S. Manufacturing Competitiveness will explore the impact of recent economic developments on the strength of the industrial sectors relevant to American national security. The bi-partisan Task Force will be co-chaired by Marillyn Hewson, former Chairman, President, and CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, and David McCormick, CEO of Bridgewater Associates and former Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, and consist of 14 additional members. The Task Force will release a report ahead of the 2021 Reagan National Defense Forum in December detailing findings and recommendations that will ensure the United States is prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century from a position of strength.

Signature Recommendations 

1. 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.
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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.
   
   
4. 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. 

recommendations matriX

Press release

task force Members

Mr. David Mccormick

Co-Chair

CEO, Bridgewater Associates, and Former Undersecretary for International Affairs, U.S. Department of Treasury

Ms. Chandra Brown

CEO, MxD, and Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing, U.S. Department of Commerce

Mr. Dan Bryant

Senior Vice President for Global Public Policy & Government Affairs, Walmart Inc., and Former Assistant Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice

Dr. Andrew Erdmann

Former Chief Operating Officer, State of Missouri 

Rep. Mike Gallagher

U.S. Representative, Wisconsin, and Captain (Ret.), U.S. Marine Corps

Dr. Katy George

Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company

Mr. Raanan Horowitz

President & CEO, Elbit America

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan

U.S. Representative, Pennsylvania, and Captain (Ret.), U.S. Air Force

Mr. John May

Founder and Managing Partner, CORE Industrial Partners

 

Ms. Marillyn Hewson

Co-Chair

Former Chairman, President, & CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Rep. Michael McCaul

Ranking Member, House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative, Texas

Mr. Matthew Pottinger

Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Hoover Institution, and Former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor

Mr. Robert Simmons

Vice President of Defense, Space & Security, Boeing Government Operations, and Former Staff Director, U.S. House Armed Services Committee

Rep. Elissa Slotkin

U.S. Representative, Michigan, and Former Analyst, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency

Ms. Kathy Wengel

Executive Vice President & Chief Global Supply Chain Officer, Johnson & Johnson

Ms. Maggie Wilderotter

Board Chairman, DocuSign, and Former Chairman & CEO, Frontier Communication

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