As lawmakers head into the home stretch of the 119th Congress, several bills of interest to manufacturers are expected to pass, like the National Defense Authorization Act and another continuing budget resolution, or have momentum, such as the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026.
Below is a summary of many of these bills, including what provisions affect manufacturers and where the bills stand. If there are other manufacturing-related bills you’re following, please let us know what they are.
National Defense Authorization Act
The U.S. Department of Defense is requesting a record $1.5 trillion for fiscal year 2027 to ramp up weapons and military equipment manufacturing. As the U.S.’ war with Iran continues, the country is facing a weapons shortage, which President Donald Trump has repeatedly denied.
The bill aims to stabilize the defense industrial base’s supply chain and manufacturing operations, as well as aid small businesses seeking contracts. The funds would also go toward modernized weapons and munitions systems. Additionally, the agency is requesting funds for initiatives such as $21.4 billion for the F-35 Lightning II.
While Trump announced on Nov. 3 that the United States will no longer provide Israel billions of dollars in military aid in 2027, the NDAA could have a provision to bring the two countries’ militaries and systems closer together.
The provision added over the summer to both the House and Senate versions of the NDAA bill is a proposed clause that could expand U.S.-Israel military ties by consolidating Israeli technology within the U.S. defense supply chain. That could set the stage for the U.S. to share research and development, licensing agreements and co-production and manufacturing with Israel’s defense industry.
The House passed its version of the bill in July, which has been with the Senate since Sept. 14.
Toxic Substances Control Act
It’s been over 10 years since Congress passed the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, an amendment under the Toxic Substances Control Act that authorizes the U.S. EPA to test and review new chemicals or novel uses of existing compounds submitted to the agency. The legislation allows the EPA to measure the impact of toxic chemicals, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or methylene chloride, assessing their impact on public health and natural resources.
Chemical trade groups and companies once lauded the safety regulation, but support has dissipated over the years. Chemical manufacturers have experienced delays in the EPA’s new substances review process, which they say has taken longer than the allotted 90 days and impacted their businesses. Moreover, chemical stakeholders say the EPA’s guidelines are inconsistent and that the risks are not science-based.
TSCA’s user fees under the safety amendment were set to expire Sept. 30, which would give Congress an opportunity to propose legislation that could address chemical stakeholders’ concerns. However, lawmakers have been divided on how to fix TSCA, and extended user fees through Dec. 11 as part of a continuing resolution signed in September.
When Congress returns, the clock will be ticking on finding a solution to satisfy chemical makers and ensure chemical safety.
National robotics strategy
Lawmakers introduced a couple of bills over the summer with the goal of establishing a national robotics strategy to spur investment in domestic robotics and make the U.S. more competitive with China, Japan, Germany and other leading countries.
The National Commission on Robotics Act was introduced by Reps. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., and Bob Latta, R-Ohio, in February. A Senate version was introduced by Sen. Todd Young and other lawmakers in June. Both have been referred to their respective science and commerce committees.
The bill would establish a commission to examine and provide recommendations on several issues related to the competitiveness of U.S. robotics and the domestic marketplace. These would include foreign actions and policies to advance robotics; supply chain risks; workforce incentives and talent recruitment programs; as well as partnerships with industry, the public and academic institutions.
Under the bill, the commission would deliver an interim report to congress and the president within one year, and a final report with recommendations within two years.
Industry advocates have pushed for a national robotics strategy in recent years as manufacturers begin to leverage artificial intelligence and advanced technologies to improve productivity and drive operational efficiencies. They argue that other countries have surpassed them in the robotics race, citing a discrepancy in governmental incentives and lower costs that make U.S. suppliers noncompetitive.
The vast majority of robots are manufactured and deployed overseas. China led robotics adoption around the world and accounted for 59% of global deployments, or 354,200 installations last year, according to the International Federation of Robotics. The U.S., by comparison, had 38,400 installations that year — more than any other country.
Permitting reform
Environmental permitting reform has long been on manufacturers’ and the Trump administration’s wish lists to make projects easier to complete without as much red tape. Those wishes may finally be fulfilled through the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026.
Recently, key manufacturers and their trade groups signed a letter to Senate negotiators urging Congress to pass the legislation this year. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has expressed concerns about the bill, as well as what he characterized as a lack of input from House Democrats, Politico reported Nov. 5. This could hurt its chances of passage during the lame-duck session.
Introduced Sept. 30 by Sens. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Mike Lee, R-Utah, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., the legislation addresses many longstanding concerns of manufacturers and other industry representatives.
For example, the bill narrows the definition of “major federal actions” subject to National Environmental Policy Act review. In particular, it excludes from NEPA review any projects with no or minimal federal funding or involvement, as well as projects that only receive certain types of federal funding such as loans or loan guarantees.
For activities still subject to NEPA, the bill sets a two-year deadline for an agency to prepare an environmental impact statement and a one-year deadline for an environmental assessment review.
To increase transparency, permitting agencies would be required to develop and maintain a “unified interagency data system” comprising interconnected agency systems and shared services for environmental reviews and authorizations.
Additional bills of interest
Manufacturers and trade groups are also following these bills as they work their way through Congress.
Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act of 2026
The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in American Act would direct the Department of Labor to initiate pilot projects between local community colleges, state and tribal colleges, local boards, advanced manufacturers and Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers that are focused on education and training programs for advanced manufacturing jobs. The bipartisan legislation was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
MATCH Act
The Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware Act would tighten and align U.S. export controls on sensitive semiconductor manufacturing equipment with allied nations to prevent China and other adversaries from acquiring critical chipmaking technology and servicing loopholes. Versions of the legislation have been introduced in the House and Senate and are still in committee.
RED Tape Act
The Reducing and Eliminating Duplicative Environmental Regulations Act would remove the requirement under the Clean Air Act that the EPA review and comment on newly authorized federal construction projects and other major federal agency actions that already require National Environmental Policy Act review. The bill passed the House in April and was referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.
FENCES Act
The Foreign Emissions and Nonattainment Clarification for Economic Stability Act would modify the Clean Air Act to exempt states from penalties for ozone and particulate matter emissions that fail to attain national ambient air quality standards but that are outside of a state’s control. The bill passed the House in April and was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act
The Robotics Supply Chain Improvement Act would direct the Commerce Department to collect more data and develop standards for new robotics, help keep the U.S. ahead of China and bolster domestic manufacturing globally.
It was introduced on Aug. 6 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill
Federal surface transportation reauthorization is pending in Congress after the House approved its own five-year package earlier this year in a 62-to-2 vote.
The House bill, titled the Build America 250 Act, proposed an increase of $100 billion over the next decade for Federal Highway Administration programs, including for bridges, transit, rail and motor carriers.
The National Association of Manufacturers has stressed the importance of a healthy transportation infrastructure as companies navigate costly highway congestion, bottlenecked ports and freight delays.
The Biden administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was originally set to expire on Sept. 30, but was temporarily extended through Dec. 11. It could be extended again, as the Senate has yet to release its version of the bill.
American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act
The American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act would help train the next generation of technicians, machinists, engineers and production specialists for the U.S.manufacturing workforce. Specifically, it establishes an international exchange program at the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in June.
Chip EQUIP Act
The Chip EQUIP Act would seek to prevent companies that receive CHIPS Act funding from purchasing specialized manufacturing tools or equipment made by entities owned or controlled by the Chinese government, or other foreign entities of concern. It was reported out of the House Energy and Commerce, and Science, Space and Technology committees in September.
Memory Chip Competitiveness Assessment Act of 2026
The Memory Chip Competitiveness Assessment Act of 2026 requires the Department of Commerce to study and report on the advanced memory technology marketplace. The study must assess the advanced memory technology supply chain, the impact of market trends on the cost of end products and mechanisms to increase supply without acquiring products from North Korea, China, Russia or Iran. It was reported out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce in September.
