Hoyer Visits Aerolab to Discuss Make It In America Plan

LAUREL, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) visited Aerolab, a manufacturer of aerospace wind tunnels and wind-tunnel-related devices and instrumentation, to discuss House Democrats' Make It In America plan to strengthen manufacturing so that American companies can grow and create jobs here in the U.S.

"With 34 consecutive months of growth, the manufacturing sector is leading our economic recovery," stated Congressman Hoyer. "I'm committed to building on that momentum and ensuring that local manufacturers like Aerolab can succeed. By supporting small businesses, increasing competitiveness, and prioritizing investments in key areas, the Make It In America plan will help manufacturers innovate, grow, and create good jobs here in Maryland and throughout the country."

Aerolab specializes in the design, fabrication, installation and calibration of aerospace wind tunnels and wind-tunnel-related devices and instrumentation. Founded in 1947 by the late Professor A. Wiley Sherwood, Aerolab has since manufactured over 500 subsonic, transonic and supersonic wind tunnels.

Since launching the initiative in the 111th Congress, nine Make It In America bills have been signed into law:

• U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act: Makes it cheaper for American companies to obtain the materials they need to manufacture goods. [Public Law 111-227]
• Protecting American Patents: Helps the Patent Office to begin to unclog the backlog—totaling about 1.2 million pending applications—by giving the agency access to more of the fees it collects so that patent applications can continue to be processed and innovative ideas can continue to move to market. [Public Law 111-224]
• Preventing Outsourcing: Prevents the outsourcing of U.S. jobs by closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to send U.S. jobs overseas. [Public Law 111-226]
• Small Business Jobs Act: Expands much needed lending to millions of small businesses and offers tax incentives to help small businesses grow, hire, and fuel our economy, without adding a dime
  to the deficit. [Public Law 111-240]
• Energy Jobs and Training for Veterans Act: Provides grants for programs to provide on-the-job training, apprenticeship, real experience, and long-term employment in all energy fields. [Public Law 111-275]
• America COMPETES Reauthorization Act: Establishes innovative technology federal loan guarantees for small- and medium-sized manufacturers and invests in science, technology, engineering, and math education. [Public Law 111-358]
• Leahy-Smith America Invents Act: Improves the patent system to provide incentives for companies to continue innovating and manufacturing in the U.S. [Public Law 112-29]
• Reauthorization of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs: The six-year reauthorization ensures that the nation's
  small, high-tech, and innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. [Public Law 112-81]
• Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2012: Reauthorizes the Export-Import Bank for three years, ending uncertainty for businesses and providing the resources needed to keep American exporters competitive. [Public Law 112-122]