Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined colleagues in cosponsoring legislation addressing businesses and consumers impacted by pandemic related supply chain disruptions. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act will alleviate current supply chain bottlenecks and prevent future disruptions by investing in American companies to reduce our reliance on long supply chains and ensure that critical products are made in America. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act was introduced by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
“Our focus must be on addressing disruptions in global supply chains and, in an increasingly crowded global market that’s been impacted by a pandemic, amplifying our own economy’s strengths,” said Sen. Coons. “Manufacturing is critical to our country’s security and prosperity, and it’s essential that Congress invest in Made-in-America production. The Supply Chain Resiliency Act will strengthen domestic manufacturing, address vulnerabilities in our supply chain, and help secure good-paying, high-skill jobs for workers in Delaware.”
In Delaware, the manufacturing and logistics industries are a source of good jobs and economic growth. According to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, over 27,000 Delawareans and their families work in manufacturing businesses, and the state’s major international port and location in the northeast corridor create natural opportunities for continued growth as a supply chain hub. With further investment, Delaware is well-positioned to advance its leadership in cutting-edge advanced manufacturing and supply chain logistics.
The Supply Chain Resiliency Act creates an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency at the Commerce Department, charged with monitoring, researching, and addressing vulnerable supply chains. The Office will provide loans, loan guarantees, and grants to small and medium manufacturers, to allow them to address supply chain bottlenecks by expanding production. For example, a manufacturer that is unable to meet the increased demand for its products can get a low-interest loan from the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency to expand production.
In order to ensure adequate labor supply, safe working conditions, and labor-management cooperation, the legislation includes strong labor protections as a condition of expansion support. Through committed long-term low-cost financial support, the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency will provide incentives for manufacturers seeking to expand production in the United States and the companies that get their goods to market.
“Rebuilding our country’s supply chains requires robust investment in long-neglected critical materials and manufacturing. Sen. Baldwin’s Supply Chain Resiliency Act serves as a much-needed foundation for strengthening these domestic supply chains and making our nation safer and more secure,” said United Steel Workers International President Tom Conway. “The bill also includes common-sense provisions to ensure workers have a voice on the job, reflecting the vital role good, community-sustaining jobs play in building and maintaining steady supply chains.”
The full text of the Supply Chain Resiliency Act can be found here.