Davids Re-Introduces Bill to Increase Supply of Equipment Needed to Fight Covid

Representative Sharice Davids has re-introduced her bill, the SUPPLIES Act, which would increase the supply of equipment like face masks, hospital gowns, ventilators, and testing materials needed to get the coronavirus under control. The legislation would also promote manufacturing these goods at small and medium businesses in the United States.

This comes on the heels of President Biden's executive order that will strengthen Buy American provisions, helping to support American manufacturing and workers.

"It's past time we fix our country's COVID supply shortages and ensure that every community can meet the surging demand for life-saving items like masks, gowns, ventilators, and other materials needed to fight COVID. Especially as new vaccines and treatments are developed, it's essential that we have systems in place to ensure they are manufactured with adequate supply. The SUPPLIES Act would activate our small businesses, which have been hit hard by this pandemic, to address urgent supply gaps and create a real stockpile of medical supplies that we can all be confident in," said Davids.

First introduced by Davids in the 116th Congress, the SUPPLIES Act creates a $100 million grant program for small businesses that shift their production to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing supplies in order to meet the rapidly growing demand for these items during the coronavirus pandemic.

The SUPPLIES Act also has strong measures to boost American manufacturing and eliminate price gouging of these life-saving materials. It requires companies to prioritize domestic customers for these supplies and to sell their product at a reasonable market price.

"As so many American businesses are on the brink of closing their doors due to this pandemic and economic crisis, it's essential that we support American manufacturers and workers right now. We have companies at home in Kansas that want to help fill the gaps in production, but too often they've faced barriers that have stopped them in their tracks. The SUPPLIES Act will cut the government red tape, keep people at work, and help businesses keep their doors open, so they can help us," said Davids.

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