Cleveland Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 22, Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congressman Bill Posey (FL-08) introduced bipartisan legislation to examine and offer recommendations to strengthen America’s supply chains. The Critical Supply Chain Commission Act establishes a national non-partisan commission, comprised of experts, to advise Congress on how to bolster domestic production and supply chain capabilities in strategically important industries. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, American consumers, business owners, and service providers have faced shortages, long delivery times, and increased costs due to domestic supply chain problems. Most recently, our health care system has been grappling with significant shortages of cancer drugs and other pharmaceuticals, even forcing patients to ration or forego their medication altogether. 

“This legislation is about the mother who needs baby formula, the patients who need medicine, the factory that needs metals. Strengthening our supply chains will make America more prosperous and secure. Let’s gather the country’s top experts and get to work on solving this problem. As a member of the Select Committee addressing our competition with the Chinese Communist Party, ensuring that our key industries cannot be undermined by foreign governments is a top priority. I thank Congressman Posey for his partnership on this legislation and look forward to building support for this important bipartisan bill,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. 

“Our dependence on foreign suppliers for everything from manufacturing to life-saving medications, raw materials, and precious minerals, gives countries like China dangerous leverage over the United States allowing them to be a gatekeeper to our critical supply chain needs,” said Congressman Bill Posey. “This new bipartisan commission will help Congress better understand the extent of the CCP’s reach, build up our own capabilities and secure our nation against disruptions.” 

The legislation is cosponsored by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC - At Large), Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06) and Congressman Ed Case (HI-01). An earlier version of The Critical Supply Chain Commission Act was introduced by former Congressman Tim Ryan and Congressman Posey in the 117th Congress.

The Critical Supply Chain Commission Act:

• Establishes a National Commission on Critical Supply Chains to provide guidance to Congress on rebuilding and strengthening critical American supply chains. 
• The Commission will hold public meetings and hearings, conduct research, and identify the critical components within our supply chains that are dependent on foreign materials, goods, or services. 
• The Commission will report to Congress every two years on protecting and enhancing domestic supply chains, especially with regard to pharmaceuticals and health care, rare earth metals, microchips, machine productions, defense capabilities, scientific equipment, advanced technology, clothing, and agricultural products. 
• The Commission will be comprised of12 members, who must have substantial expertise in supply chains, critical industries or domains, or industrial policy. 
• Members will be appointed by the following, in consultation with relevant Congressional committees: Speaker of the House (3), House Minority Leader (3), Senate Majority Leader (3), Senate Minority Leader (3).

Original source can be found here.