Over the past year, TTD and the AFL-CIO have supported Los Angeles-based LAANE in its development of a national, community-based operation designed to create jobs and economic activity through transportation manufacturing. LAANE has developed—in partnership with economists, community development and advocacy groups, veterans’ groups and labor—a U.S. employment plan that enables transit agencies to offer manufacturers a voluntary incentive designed to reward companies that commit to re-shore manufacturing and spur good American jobs, creating access and opportunities for disadvantaged people and small businesses. This session will involve a brief overview of the work done on the U.S. Employment Plan, followed by a discussion on the intersection of policy and politics in implementing this plan with specific procurements going forward. The discussion will focus on how political leverage, through a shared strategy with LAANE and its partners, will be effective in implementing sound procurement policy and advancing job and organizing opportunities.