A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the National Fab Lab Network, a nonprofit corporation designed to create a national network of local digital fabrication facilities. These facilities, known as "fab labs," will provide universal access to advanced manufacturing tools. The goal is to support workforce development, STEM education, and the creation of new businesses and inventions. The corporation aims to empower individuals and communities by providing tools for personal and professional needs. It seeks to establish at least one lab in every congressional district, with a focus on underserved areas. The network will function as a resource for training, innovation, and community self-sufficiency.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +6
Would students be better off under this?
The bill creates a massive national platform for STEM education and technical literacy.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill explicitly aims to foster the creation of businesses and jobs through digital fabrication.
- Scored +5
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The focus on STEM education and 21st-century workforce development benefits young people entering the labor market.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Advanced Tools: The bill provides universal access to digital fabrication tools, including computer-silled machines for additive and subtractive processes and electronic circuit manufacturing (Section 3, a, 1). This allows people to create items ranging from personal technology to household goods (Section 2, 4).
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Workforce and Economic Development: The network is intended to align workforce development with new jobs and help people compete in a global marketplace (Section 3, c, 1, F). It also aims to foster the creation of businesses and jobs (Section 3, c, 1, D, iii).
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Educational Opportunities: The initiative seeks to promote skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) (Section 3, c, 1, D, i). It also aims to introduce digital fabrication as an essential new literacy (Section 3, c, 1, E).
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Community Empowerment: The corporation aims to establish a minimum of one fab lab in each congressional district, specifically prioritizing underserved communities (Section 3, c, 2, A). This is intended to increase self-sufficiency for individuals, households, and communities (Section 3, c, 1, D, vi).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Risk Mitigation Responsibility: While the corporation is tasked with developing methods to mitigate risks associated with digital fabrication (Section 3, f, 10), the text notes that the tools themselves are used for "mitigating risks" (Section 2, 9), implying there are inherent risks associated with these manufacturing technologies that must be managed.
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Financial Limitations on Leadership: To prevent the misuse of funds, the corporation is prohibited from distributing income or assets to its directors, officers, or members (Section 3, h, 2). Additionally, it cannot issue any kind of securities or pay dividends (Section 3, h, 1).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would students be better off under this? — The bill creates a massive national platform for STEM education and technical literacy. Would business owners be better off under this? — The fab labs are intended to assist in the creation and scaling of new businesses. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The focus on STEM education and 21st-century workforce development benefits young people entering the labor market. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes underserved communities to increase individual and household self-sufficiency. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The board of directors is required to include representatives from Tribal communities. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The mandate to establish labs in every congressional district ensures geographic coverage for rural areas. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The network includes the potential for community design and production of goods in various locations.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill explicitly aims to foster the creation of businesses and jobs through digital fabrication. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The network provides tools and resources intended to assist in creating businesses and developing inventions.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The corporation is tasked with providing a platform for science and research through fab labs. Does this put more money into public schools? — While not direct funding, the bill establishes a national infrastructure for STEM education.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By prioritizing underserved communities and increasing self-sufficiency, the bill aims to provide economic opportunity.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the corporation to submit annual reports to Congressional committees.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill mentions that digital fabrication can be used for the production of transportation goods.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The focus on high-tech manufacturing and electronic circuit production supports technological resilience.
- 6/24/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Lisa MurkowskiRepublican · Alaska