Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) sparked discussion during a House subcommittee hearing on AI in Manufacturing, questioning whether the term "manufacturing" itself might contribute to the underrepresentation of women in the field. She recounted a conversation with a manufacturing company actively recruiting young people, noting that women comprised only 13% of those interested. Schakowsky pondered aloud whether the word's inclusion of "man" might create a perception that the industry is male-dominated.

Rep. Gabe Evans (R-CO), also a member of the subcommittee, criticized Schakowsky's remarks on social media, suggesting that Democrats were prioritizing semantics over addressing the critical need to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States.

Data from a 2022 U.S. Department of Commerce report underscores the disparity: While women constitute 47% of the overall American workforce, they hold only 30% of manufacturing jobs. This statistic highlights the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining women in this sector.