U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

06/08/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/08/2021 18:42

Senate Passes Portman, Peters Bipartisan Make PPE in America Act

Senate Passes Portman, Peters Bipartisan Make PPE in America Act

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member and Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, applauded the United States Senate for passing their bipartisan legislation, the Make PPE in America Act as a part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. This legislation will strengthen efforts to onshore production of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the United States by requiring federal agencies to issue long-term contracts for American-made PPE. Reshoring production will ensure American workers, health care professionals, and more have the PPE they need as the economy continues to reopen. Domestic production of PPE supplies also will create American manufacturing jobs and ensure that America is better prepared for the next pandemic.

'The COVID-19 pandemic has made it evident that the American people should not have to rely so heavily on foreign countries for personal protective equipment, and that's why we must bring PPE production back to our shores. I applaud my Senate colleagues for passing the Make PPE In America Act as a part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act,' said Senator Portman, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 'When I talk to PPE manufacturers about re-shoring this production to America, the number one thing I hear about is the need for long-term contracts. Multi-year contracts give producers the certainty to know that their investment in the United States will be worth it because the government will be there to buy the PPE they produce.'

'I have long raised the alarm that our overreliance on foreign manufacturers for masks, gloves and medical devices is a serious national security concern. Due to ongoing efforts by the Biden Administration to boost PPE production, we are making progress, but there is more work to do,' said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 'I am pleased this commonsense legislation, which will create jobs and improve our response to the ongoing and future pandemics, has passed the Senate and I will continue fighting for its passage into law.'

'We want to thank Senator Portman (R-OH) and Senator Peters (D-MI) for working tirelessly to include the Make PPE in America Act in the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act. This important legislation is to help guarantee long-term contracts for American companies to onshore critical PPE production,'said Kim Glas, President and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO).'This broadly supported bill will bolster the viability of domestic PPE manufacturing by ensuring that taxpayer dollars are utilized to purchase American-made PPE. This has been a tremendous effort and we can't thank the Senators enough for all their work in advancing this critical priority.'

'This legislation is about saving lives and livelihoods for American manufacturers and the American public. It provides a strong, long term demand signal for U.S. domestic PPE production, which is necessary if we want to ensure investment in new U.S. manufacturing,' said Steve Lamar, President of American Apparel and Footwear Association. 'It also articulates sensible domestic procurement requirements, including provisions that allow us to draw from our allies, when necessary, recognizing the critical role they played in supporting emergency PPE needs during this pandemic. We look forward to working with Senators Portman and Peters to see that this important measure is enacted soon.'

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