Manufacturers Launched Campaign for Infrastructure Reform

The National Association of Manufacturers is pushing for permitting changes before federal programs expire.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Manufacturing

Isometric editorial illustration showing a steel bridge pylon and industrial crane, representing large-scale infrastructure and logistics. — The National Association of Manufacturers launched its 'Building to Win' campaign, advocating for federal infrastructure permitting reforms before transportation programs expire in December. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Association of Manufacturers has launched a new advertisement for its Building to Win campaign. The effort calls for critical reforms to infrastructure and permitting processes at the federal level.

Why it matters

The push comes as federal surface transportation programs are set to expire in December. Advocates are seeking a long-term highway bill to address systemic bottlenecks.

Freight bottlenecks currently waste 65 million hours annually, while permitting delays add $7.9 billion in yearly costs. Highway congestion and port delays contribute to a total of $40 billion in annual economic losses.

The players

National Association of Manufacturers

This Washington, D.C.-based organization represents the interests of manufacturing businesses across the United States.

The details

The Building to Win campaign emphasizes the need for streamlined federal permitting to reduce waste and improve logistical efficiency. By lobbying Congress, the organization hopes to secure legislative action that fixes these transportation issues before existing mandates lapse.

Federal surface transportation programs are scheduled to expire on Dec. 11, 2026.

Market Landscape

The push for new legislation follows the upcoming expiration of the Federal surface transportation programs, a deadline that governs national infrastructure funding. This campaign seeks to shape future policy in a way that prioritizes industrial supply chain fluidity over current bureaucratic hurdles.

If Congress successfully passes infrastructure reform, consumers may eventually see reduced costs for goods as freight efficiency improves. Failure to update these programs could lead to continued supply chain disruptions and higher logistical overhead for businesses.

The takeaway

Reliable infrastructure is a foundational requirement for keeping domestic manufacturing costs competitive. Improving these systems is essential for avoiding the billions of dollars in wasted time currently lost to logistical gridlock.