The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee passed legislation that would strengthen American supply chains Tuesday.
U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) cosponsored the legislation, the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act that would authorize the U.S. Department of Commerce to work with the private sector and U.S. government partners to anticipate and prevent future supply chain disruptions before they happen. The Congresswomen said the legislation would also help identify opportunities to grow manufacturing capacity and jobs, while reducing costs for consumers.
“From our aerospace manufacturers to our growers, Washington state relies on robust supply chains to produce, grow and ship our products to the world,” Cantwell, the committee’s ranking member, said. “One supply chain shock can disrupt the entire system, driving shortages and raising costs. Our legislation will get the government, businesses and manufacturers working together to identify gaps and build capacity to prevent supply chain disruptions before they happen. It will strengthen American manufacturing jobs, keep our store shelves stocked and lower costs for American families.”
U.S. manufacturing contributes more than $2.65 trillion to the U.S. economy, officials said, while employing nearly 1.3 million American workers. The industry accounts for more than 10 percent of the country’s GDP. The legislation would put the Commerce Department’s Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis in charge of stability and resilience in critical supply chains, create a new “supply chain resilience working group, require the assistant secretary to evaluate the impact supply chain shocks could have on market stability, and require ongoing reporting on critical supply chain resiliency to Congress and the public.
The legislation is supported by manufacturing and other supply chain groups.
“The wholesale distribution industry plays a critical role in the U.S. supply chain and ensuring its strength and resiliency is pivotal to the success of the United States economy,” Brian Wild, Chief Government Relations Officer for the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors. “This legislation builds a framework for public-private collaboration aimed directly at protecting and promoting our nation’s critical supply chains. NAW looks forward to working with the senators to pass the bill this year.”