Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) announced the launch of the Senate Auto Caucus on Thursday, which will serve as a forum for senators to discuss automobile industry policy.
The Senate Auto Caucus will allow senators to exchange ideas on auto industry topics like workforce development, regulatory issues, safety, technology and fuel efficiency.
“America’s auto industry employs 8 million Americans and drives more than $735 billion into the economy annually,” Portman said. “I’m pleased to join my colleagues in promoting policies that will help ensure the auto industry continues to grow and thrive.”
The Senate Auto Caucus hosted a kick-off event on Capitol Hill on Thursday that drew representatives from auto companies, associations and other groups.
“Manufacturing is the path to the middle class for millions of Americans, and the auto industry is the heart of American manufacturing,” Levin said. “The Auto Caucus will help us stay focused on helping advance the U.S. auto industry renaissance that is so important to millions of families and countless communities across the country.”
The automobile industry employs approximately 10 percent of all U.S. engineers and scientists who work in the private sector.
Portman and Levin serve as the co-chairmen of the Senate Auto Caucus.