Congresswoman Bourdeaux Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support Supply Chain Resiliency

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, joined by Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), introduced the bipartisanSupply CHAIN Act. This legislation would create an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Responsewithin the Department of Commerce to monitor supply chains of critical goods and materials and plan for and respond to supply chain disruptions.

Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux said, "COVID-19 showed us all how critical resilient supply chains are for consumers and businesses. All across my district, small business owners and manufacturers have told me about the challenges they face in accessing basic materials critical to their products. These disruptions harm businesses, their employees, and our local economies. My bill ensures we are better prepared to address these challenges and ensure American companies can keep doing what they do so well -- build."

"The United States is dealing with unprecedented supply chain challenges, and action is needed. I'm pleased to join my colleagues Reps. Bourdeaux and Kelly in leading the Supply CHAIN Act, and I'm proud of the bipartisan work that has been done so far on this critical issue," said Congressman Kinzinger (R-IL). "While this marks the first major step in the legislative process, more work lies ahead as we consult with stakeholders and additional experts. And I am committed to being a good-faith partner in these efforts. The task is clear, we must act to strengthen our national security and economic security. To meet these challenges, the American people deserve bipartisan, effective answers from their leaders."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has made it perfectly clear that disruptions to our supply chain have major detrimental impacts on our economy, on our manufacturers' ability to get their products to market and on consumers' ability to find the products they want or need to purchase," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. "An Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response would help us identify supply chain issues early on and mitigate impacts for manufacturers and consumers. I'm proud to be introducing this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues Rep. Bourdeaux and Rep. Kinzinger to protect our economy and American manufacturing."

Background: The Supply CHAIN Act would:

Create an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response at the Department of Commerce, headed by an Under Secretary of Commerce.
Goals of the office:
Promote the leadership of the United State in critical industries and supply chains
Encourage partnerships and collaboration between the Federal Government and industry, labor organizations, and state and local governments; and
Monitor the resilience, diversity, security, and strength of supply chains and critical industries
The office could advance these goals by, among other things:
Identifying opportunities to reduce supply chain gaps and vulnerabilities
Establishing a coordination group (and appropriate subgroups) with private sector partners to plan for and respond to supply chain shocks and support the resiliency, diversity, security, and strength of supply chains
Working with existing authorities at the Department of Commerce and in coordination with the Department of State and the United States Trade Representative to promote diversified and resilient supply chains
The office would be responsible for issuing a quadrennial National Strategic Plan for Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation which would include:
Insights and recommendations to improve the security and resiliency of supply chains and to support the creation of jobs through the growth of American manufacturing
Guidance to relevant agencies with respect to critical goods and services, equipment, and technologies which should be prioritized
Reviews and recommendations for expanding the sourcing of critical goods and services, equipment, and technology from allies or key partners of the United States.

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