Congresswoman Torres & California Democratic Appropriators Demands Answers After Trump Administration Leaves California Manufacturers Behind

Congresswoman Torres & California Democratic Appropriators Demands Answers After Trump Administration Leaves California Manufacturers Behind

Washington D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, alongside Representatives Pete Aguilar, Mike Levin and Josh Harder, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick demanding immediate action to restore California's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center after the Trump Administration allowed the program to lapse and failed to launch a replacement competition for the state. Now California is one of only two states in the country without an MEP center.

The MEP program helps small and medium-sized manufacturers strengthen supply chains, expand domestic production, and train workers for high-skilled, good-paying jobs. California's MEP Center closed after its contract was not renewed in 2025, leaving thousands of manufacturers without access to critical federal support. Despite congressional direction to rapidly restore MEP centers where gaps exist, the Administration has yet to establish a path forward for California.

"California is the largest manufacturing state in America and the fourth-largest economy in the world. Yet the Trump Administration continues to single out our state for political attacks while putting California jobs, businesses, and workers at risk," said Congresswoman Torres. "More than 35,000 manufacturers contribute hundreds of billions of dollars to our economy, and they deserve the same federal resources available to manufacturers in every other state. This isn't about politics, it's about protecting jobs, strengthening American manufacturing, and ensuring California businesses can compete."

In January 2026, Congress directed the Department of Commerce to maintain MEP funding and rapidly execute funding competitions to minimize gaps in service. However, while the Department launched competitions in other states, California was excluded, leaving the nation's manufacturing leader without a state MEP center. Torres is a long time supporter of California's manufacturers, leading the introduction of the National Supply Chain Database Act (H.R. 6118 in the 117th Congress), which was passed as part of the CHIPS and Science Act, and hosting an annual 'Made in the 35th' Tour to highlight the importance of local manufacturing to the Inland Empire.

"The Administration cannot claim to support American manufacturing while denying California manufacturers access to the very programs designed to help them succeed," Torres continued. "California workers build products that power our economy, strengthen our supply chains, and keep America competitive. The Department of Commerce must stop playing politics with our state's economy and immediately restore this critical resource."

Full letter

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