Great news out of Illinois today! Chrysler has announced that it is hiring 1,800 new workers and stepping up production at their plant in Belvidere. It’s a good story that coincides with the news that the U.S. economy gained 50,000 manufacturing jobs in the last month.

Approximately 500 of the new employees will focus on the new Dodge Dart while others will work on existing models.  The new hires represent a 66% increase in plants workforce and all are expected to be hired by the third quarter this year.

Additionally, it is expected to create hundreds of other jobs at parts suppliers and other vendors – part of the ripple effect that NAM President Jay Timmons spoke about during his January “State of Manufacturing” speech in Cleveland. He told those in attendance that:

“For every dollar invested in manufacturing, $1.35 of indirect economic activity is generated – the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector, by far. And for every job created in the manufacturing sector, up to another three jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.”

The addition of these jobs are due in large part to a pro-growth business environment for Chrysler – part of the polices that NAM has said are essential to achieve a Manufacturing Renaissance. Hopefully policy makers are paying attention to the results.

Representative Henry Waxman’s (D-CA) political games on the Keystone XL pipeline project is only setting Americans back in their quest to find jobs — good paying jobs.  Continued attempts by the Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce committee to cause a distraction by focusing on whether or not certain companies stand to benefit from this project is deplorable.  Americans stand to benefit.  More than 20,000 jobs will be created in manufacturing and construction, not to mention the 118,000 spin-off jobs that will also be created.  Manufacturers use one-third of our nation’s energy supply and the construction of the pipeline will provide a new source of affordable energy to manufacturers.

So let’s stop playing games. Politicians can no longer claim the need to create jobs for Americans while simultaneously using their position to stand in the way of common sense projects that would do exactly that.  America is prosperous because the private-sector fuels our economy and creates jobs — this Keystone XL pipeline project is no different.

Jay Timmons is president and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers.

President Obama meets with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili today. Later, he hosts a chat on Google +. Wednesday, he crosses the Potomac and delivers remarks on the economy in northern Virginia. On Thursday, he attends the National Prayer Breakfast.

The Senate convenes this afternoon and will hold a procedural vote on the congressional insider trading bill (S. 2038).

The House returns on Tuesday and will vote on a motion to go to a House-Senate conference on the Federal Aviation Authority reauthorization bill (H.R. 658). The House will also take steps toward repealing a program established by President Obama’s health-care law. Later in the week, the House will consider legislation that would reform the budget process.

See the Majority Leader’s calendar here.

Senate Hearings: TUESDAY—The Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds a hearing on the energy outlook for 2012. The Finance Committee looks at tax extenders and tax reform. The Banking Committee conducts an oversight hearing on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. WEDNESDAY—The Small Business Committee holds a hearing on entrepreneurship. The Budget Committee ponders the “Outlook for the Eurozone.” THURSDAY—The Energy and Natural Resources Committee examines “America’s Nuclear Future.” The Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee considers college affordability. The Budget Committee holds a hearing on the “Budget and Economic Outlook: FY2012-2022.”

House Hearings: MONDAY—A Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee holds a field hearing on the Coast Guard’s readiness to respond to oil spills. WEDNESDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on “America’s Nuclear Future.” The Oversight and Government Reform Committee looks at President Obama’s recent recess appointments. An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee looks at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) research on fracking. The Education and Workforce Committee holds a hearing on “Expanding Opportunities for Job Creation.” A Financial Services subcommittee considers the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000. The Budget Committee receives testimony from Congressional Budget Office Director Doug Elmendorf on the budget and economic outlook. A Judiciary subcommittee holds a hearing on “Prior User Rights: Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing and Innovation.” The Small Business Committee considers “The Path to Job Creation: The State of American Small Businesses.” THURSDAY—An Education and Workforce subcommittee looks at challenges facing the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. The Budget Committee hears about the state of the economy from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. FRIDAY—A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee examines “Fostering Quality Science at EPA.”

Executive Branch: Vice President Joe Biden speaks to the Conference of Chief Justices today. On Wednesday, Commerce Secretary John Bryson will be in Pittsburgh, Pa., to deliver remarks on manufacturing. On Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton leaves for Germany and Bulgaria.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include personal income and spending for December (Monday); the S.& P./Case-Shiller home price index for November, the Chicago purchasing managers index for January, and consumer confidence for January (Tuesday); ADP employment for January, the I.S.M. manufacturing index for January and construction spending for December (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims and productivity for the fourth quarter (Thursday); and unemployment for January, the I.S.M. nonmanufacturing index for January and factory orders for December (Friday).”

Caterpillar C.E.O. Doug Oberhelman appeared on Fox News’ “Your World with Neil Cavuto” to talk about how to best advance manufacturing in the U.S.

On the heels of President Obama’s State of the Union address during which he focused on the importance of manufacturing, it is powerful to hear directly from a manufacturer who strives every day to compete in the global marketplace.

At the conclusion of his appearance with Cavuto, Oberhelman summarized on what is needed for a true manufacturing renaissance:

“We need stimulus around manufacturing, we need tax reform, and we need education reform, and we can go on and on and on. As Vice Chair of the National Association of Manufacturers, there is a really refined list of what we need to do if we want to be competitive in this country. It is a prescription that is not that hard to follow and is pretty common sense, actually.”

Fresh off his third State of the Union Address, where he discussed the need for growing manufacturing, President Obama will be touring Intel’s Ocotillo Campus in Chandler, Arizona. The Intel facility in Chandler employs nearly 10,000 people and builds high tech processors. The President is expected to continue to discuss manufacturing and job creation.

Intel is a leading innovator in high-tech manufacturing and is currently expanding their operations in Arizona. The company is building the world’s most advanced, high volume chip fabrication plant in Arizona. The plant is scheduled to be completed in 2013. This is great news for manufacturing in the United States.

Manufacturers are hopeful President Obama will adopt the policies manufacturers have laid out in A Manufacturing Renaissance: Four Goals for Economic Growth. By instituting pro-growth policies companies like Intel will be able to better compete, expand and create good high-paying jobs.

Today National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons was the featured speaker at the weekly Heritage Foundation Blogger Briefing which was hosted at NAM headquarters.

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons Speaks During the Tuesday Blogger Briefing

During the briefing today Timmons discussed the NAM’s A Manufacturing Renaissance: Four Goals for Economic Growth and what needs to be done in Washington to keep manufacturers competitive to create jobs. “This really outlines what we have heard from our members all over the country,” said Timmons.

Timmons also discussed how the U.S. is at cost disadvantage when it comes to competiting with our major trade partners, “It’s currently 20 percent more expensive to do business in this country than it is for our major trading partners. Three years ago it was 17 percent.”

Additionally, Timmons addressed the President’s decision last week on the Keystone XL pipeline saying it was an example of the Administration “putting politics over sound policy.”

The President’s State of the Union speech will dominate headlines this week.

President Obama welcomes the Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins, to the White House today. Tuesday, he delivers the State of the Union address. Wednesday through Friday, he will crisscross the country, visiting Iowa, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Michigan.

The Senate returns to the Capitol today and will consider the nomination of a federal district judge.

The House is in session today through Wednesday. On Tuesday, it will vote on a measure expressing the importance of passing a budget. See the Majority Leader’s schedule here.

More from The Hill.

Senate Hearings: THURSDAY—The Budget Committee holds a hearing on the “Outlook for the U.S. and Global Economy.” FRIDAY—The Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee holds a field hearing on “Rebuilding the Middle Class: What Washington Can Learn from Iowa.”

House Hearings: TUESDAY—An Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee holds a hearing on the “Occupy” encampment in Washington, D.C. The Budget Committee marks up several bills relating to budget process reform. An Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee receives testimony from the new director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Richard Cordray. WEDNESDAY—An Energy and Commerce subcommittee holds a hearing on the Keystone XL Pipeline. The House Agriculture Committee marks up several bills to reform provisions of the Dodd-Frank financial services bill. An Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee holds a hearing on the Chevy Volt.

Executive Branch: Secretary of Commerce John Bryson meets with the ambassador of India today. United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk is meeting with the Canadian Minister of International Trade. Under Secretary of International Trade Francisco Sanchez is attending a meeting with representatives of the textile industry this week. On Friday, Vice President Joe Biden will speak at the House Democratic retreat in Cambridge, Md.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include pending home sales for December (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, durable goods for December, new-home sales for December and leading economic indicators for December (Thursday); and gross domestic product for the fourth quarter and the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for January (Friday).”

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons will address the City Club of Cleveland at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow and share his insights on the manufacturing outlook for 2012 and beyond.

You can watch the event here.

President Obama honors the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. today. Tomorrow morning, he meets with the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. In the afternoon, he hosts King Abdullah of Jordan and later the World Series champs St. Louis Cardinals. On Thursday, he travels to Orlando, Fla., for a speech on the economy.

The Senate is out until next week. The House returns tomorrow for a short week. On Wednesday, the House is expected to vote on a measure (H.J. Res. 98) disapproving President Obama’s request to raise the debt ceiling. The House is out Thursday and Friday. See the Majority Leader’s schedule here.

House Hearings: TUESDAY—An Armed Services subcommittee holds a hearing on defense contracting among small and medium-sized businesses. WEDNESDAY—A Financial Services subcommittee holds a hearing on the Volcker rule. The Oversight and Government Reform Committee holds a hearing on “Government Mandated Domain Name Service Blocking and Search Takedowns: Will It End the Internet as We Know It?” A Science, Space and Technology subcommittee holds a hearing on hydraulic fracturing and its effects on groundwater.

Executive Branch: Secretary Clinton is in Africa, visiting the nations of Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Cape Verde. Today she is meeting with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Other Cabinet members are marking Martin Luther King, Jr. day at events across the country.

Economic Reports: From the New York Times: “Data will include the Producer Price Index for December, and industrial production and capacity utilization for December (Wednesday); weekly jobless claims, the Consumer Price Index for December, housing starts for December, and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index for January (Thursday); and existing home sales for December (Friday).”

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced yesterday that it will be adding a second shift in order to ramp up production at its Freightliner Truck Manufacturing Plant in Cleveland, N.C. The move will create more than 1,100 new jobs by the end of 2012, an increase in personnel of 72 percent.

DTNA says the new jobs will “nearly double the daily production rates at the Cleveland plant by October 2012.”

DTNA is the largest Freightliner Trucks manufacturing plant in the U.S. and exclusively produces Class 8 on-highway truck models. In addition to this welcome news; DTNA will also be hiring 100 new workers at its nearby Components and Logistics Plant in Gastonia, N.C.

It’s great to see companies like Daimler Trucks North America expanding and creating quality manufacturing jobs. Manufacturers continue to lead the economic recovery and are looking for pro-growth policies from Washington which will enable them thrive and create more jobs. 

News coverage on DTNA’s announcement:

• Reuters: Daimler Trucks to add 1,200 jobs in U.S. by September
• Charlotte Business Journal: Daimler Trucks North America to add 1,200 jobs in Charlotte region