WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), who has been a champion for investing in the Regional Innovation Program, applauded  passage of the bipartisan Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act by the U.S. House of Representatives late last night, which  reauthorizes the Regional Innovation Program for 5 years. RAMI, which Cicilline cosponsored, would also create a network of regional manufacturing institutes across the country to drive innovation, improve workforce development, and support domestic manufacturing.

“Rhode Island’s economy was built on the strength of our manufacturing industry and this bill gives manufacturers a targeted boost to accelerate job growth, drive business, and compete in the global economy,” said Cicilline. “RAMI will help drive innovation to help American manufacturers stay ahead of the curve, build cutting edge technologies, and create jobs here at home.”

In 2010 Congress established a Regional Innovation Program to encourage and support collaboration among business, academia and government in the development of regional innovation strategies. During his time in Congress, Cicilline has worked with the House Committee on Appropriations to fund the Regional Innovation Program. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, Cicilline offered an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Act to include language relating to the Regional Innovation Program – strengthening its prospects for funding during the conference committee process. It was adopted with bipartisan support and the Regional Innovation Program was funded at $10 million for the first time in FY2014. RAMI will reauthorize the Regional Innovation Program for 5 years and create a network of regional manufacturing institutes across the country to support domestic production each focused on a unique technology, material, or process relevant to advanced manufacturing.

RAMI has broad support from leading industry groups, including Procter & Gamble, the National Association of Manufacturers, General Electric, Texas Instruments, IBM, and more. A companion bill in the U.S. Senate has been approved by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Now that the bill has been passed by the full House it must be approved by the full Senate before becoming law.