Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, joined by Reps. Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL-16), introduced the bipartisan Supply Chain Act earlier this month. This legislation would create an Office of Supply Chain Resiliency and Crisis Response within the Department of Commerce to monitor supply chains of critical goods and materials, and to 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.”
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 chain
- 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 chain.
- 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.
