SENATORS MCCORMICK, HICKENLOOPER, YOUNG, AND HEINRICH INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL COMMISSION ON ROBOTICS

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Todd Young (R-IN), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) today introduced the bipartisan National Commission on Robotics Act. The bill would create an independent commission to evaluate America's competitiveness in robotics and recommend policies to strengthen U.S. leadership in that field. The legislation comes as America's dependence on foreign-manufactured robotics technology raises urgent questions about supply chain security, economic competitiveness, national defense, and workforce development.

"Pennsylvania, and Pittsburgh especially, is an incredible hub of robotics talent and demonstrates that American leadership in robotics creates high-paying jobs, strengthens domestic supply chains, and drives long-term growth," said Senator McCormick. "The Commission on American Leadership in Robotics will bring together leading experts to help ensure the United States maintains its technological edge over our adversaries and builds the workforce needed to succeed in a technology-driven future."

"Advancements in robotics are rapidly changing how we live and work. If America is going to lead the future, we need a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead-from supply chains and national security to workforce development," said Senator Hickenlooper. "Colorado is a growing robotics and innovation hub, and this legislation will help ensure we harness these technologies in ways that build opportunity, strengthen our economy, and minimize the unintended consequences."

Specifically, the commission is directed to examine and make recommendations on:

• The competitiveness of the United States in robotics and the strength of the domestic marketplace.
• Whether the U.S. has the appropriate means and methods to assert and maintain a technological advantage across industrial, retail, and commercial sectors.
• Foreign actions and policies to advance robotics.
• Whether certain strategic partnerships in robotics with industry, the public, and academic institutions could enhance economic competitiveness and manufacturing.
• Workforce incentives and programs to attract and recruit leading talent in robotics and associated STEM fields.
• Supply chain risks and policies to increase domestic manufacturing of robotics.

The commission will deliver an interim report to Congress and the President within one year of establishment and a final report with concrete recommendations within two years of establishment.

The National Commission on Robotics Act has received support from the following stakeholders: Gecko Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Technology Council, Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, Agility Robotics, Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Association for Advancing Automation (A3), FANUC America, Technology Councils of North America (TECNA), the Colorado Technology Association, Advanced Construction Robotics, Carnegie Robotics, Near Earth Autonomy, HEBI Robotics, Robots for America, the New American Industrial Alliance, and the Mass Technology Leadership Council.

"Robotics is poised to be one of the defining technologies of the 21st century, with profound implications for economic growth, national security and societal well-being. At a time of increasing global competition, the United States must take an ambitious and deliberate approach to maintaining its leadership in this critical field," said Farnam Jahanian, President of Carnegie Mellon University. "Carnegie Mellon University applauds the bipartisan leadership of Senators McCormick and Hickenlooper in advancing a National Robotics Commission. By bringing together leaders from industry, academia, government and the workforce, this effort can help develop a shared national strategy that accelerates innovation, strengthens American competitiveness and ensures the benefits of robotics are broadly shared across society."

"Global competition around robotics and AI is accelerating quickly, and the U.S. must move decisively to remain the global leader. A national robotics strategy is essential to strengthening American industry, infrastructure, energy, and national security, while accelerating innovation and high-skilled jobs. Gecko, from our Pittsburgh headquarters to facilities around the world, is at the forefront of companies transforming critical industries using robotics and stands firmly behind Senator McCormick and Senator Hickenlooper's initiative," said Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics.

"America's robotics leadership will be built on strong research institutions, a skilled workforce, resilient supply chains, and bold entrepreneurs going after big problems. This commission is exactly the kind of federal commitment our industry needs. We strongly support this legislation and urge that workforce development, technology transfer, supply chain resilience, and academic-industry partnerships be central in its considerations." said Audrey Russo, President and CEO, Pittsburgh Technology Council. 

"Pittsburgh has been at the forefront of robotics innovation for decades, which is why Agility has made a meaningful investment in its footprint there," said Peggy Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Agility Robotics. "Sen. McCormick and Sen. Hickenlooper's introduction of the National Commission on Robotics Act reflects a clear understanding of the strategic importance of U.S. leadership not only in developing, but in deploying robotics, including humanoids, at scale. We hope the Senate will move swiftly on a bipartisan basis to advance this critical legislation."

"AUVSI commends Senators McCormick and Hickenlooper for their leadership in introducing the National Commission on Robotics Act. Robotics will be central to the future of U.S. manufacturing, productivity, and national security. With the People's Republic of China moving strategically and aggressively to shape and win this market, the United States needs a clear national strategy to align policy, strengthen trusted industrial capacity, and compete to win. This bill is an important step toward that goal and AUVSI strongly endorses the National Commission on Robotics Act," said Michael Robbins, President & CEO of Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI).

"The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) applauds the leadership of US Senators David McCormick (R-PA) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and welcomes their introduction of legislation in the United States Senate to establish a national robotics strategy," said Jeff Burnstein, President of A3. "The accelerated adoption of robotics, along with enabling technologies like artificial intelligence, machine vision, and motion control, will strengthen every US industry in the future. Robotics and automation are essential to bringing more manufacturing back to the US while creating better, safer and higher paying jobs for American workers."    

"Staying on the cutting edge of robotics development and deployment is critical to U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. So much of the innovation in this space is being driven by entrepreneurs and small/medium-sized businesses across the country-thousands of which are served by TECNA's member councils.  We applaud Senator McCormick's effort to create a Robotics Commission ​and ensure we continue to foster and leverage American ingenuity," said Jennifer G. Young, CEO, TECNA

"FANUC America applauds Senators David McCormick (R-PA) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) for their leadership in advancing robotics," said Mike Cicco, CEO of FANUC America.  "The National Commission on Robotics Act is an important step to strengthen U.S. leadership in robotics and industrial automation. As a global leader in industrial robotics, FANUC America strongly supports federal efforts to develop a skilled workforce and accelerate the adoption of robotics across U.S. manufacturing.  FANUC America is proud of its continued investments and expansion in the United States and looks forward to working with Congress to create high-quality jobs including robotics designers, technicians, and operators, while advancing initiatives that strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness."

"Robotics has the potential to power America's manufacturing renaissance, which is why it's critical to enact smart policy that leads the way on adoption. The National Commission on Robotics Act would do just that, by creating a bipartisan commission to assess the state of American robotics and establishing a strategy to ensure continued American robotics dominance.  We thank Sen. McCormick, Sen. Hickenlooper, Congressman Obernolte, and Congresswoman McClellan for acting urgently to address this critical need." - New American Industrial Alliance (NAIA)

"Despite inventing the modern robotics industry, the United States currently operates less than 10% of the world's industrial robots, which significantly threatens America's position as the global economic leader. There's no time to waste, which is why the creation of an independent, bipartisan commission on American leadership in robotics must be an urgent priority for US policymakers. We thank Senator McCormick, Senator Hickenlooper, Congressman Obernolte, and Congresswoman McClellan for their leadership on this effort." - Robots for America 

This bill has bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. Representatives Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA) are sponsoring companion legislation, H.R. 7334, in the House of Representatives.

The full bill text may be read here.

###