U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown called for the creation of a National Network of Manufacturing Innovation on Tuesday.

The aim is to strengthen the ability of the U.S. to take the lead in new technologies by creating regional “innovation” hubs with specialized manufacturing skills, Brown said.

“American workers have the drive, the creative thinking, and the determination to out-innovate the rest of the world,” Brown said. “We just need to make certain that they have the opportunity to do so.”